Tie Rod End: Service and Repair
TIE ROD OUTERREMOVAL - OUTER TIE ROD
1. Raise vehicle.
NOTE: When removing the center cap from the wheel do not use a sharp or hard tool. Use of such a tool can mare the finish on the wheel and damage the center cap.
2. Remove the center cap from the wheel. Center cap is removed by inserting a trim stick into the notch on the center cap and prying it off the wheel.
3. Remove wheel and tire from vehicle.
4. Remove the 3 nuts mounting the front fender bracket to the steering knuckle. Remove front fender from the steering knuckle.
5. Remove nut and washer attaching outer tie rod to steering knuckle. Nut is removed using following procedure. Hold tie rod end stud from rotating with an 11/32 socket while loosening and removing the nut with a wrench.
6. Remove outer tie rod end from steering knuckle using Puller, Special Tool C-3894-A.
7. Loosen inner to outer tie rod jam nut. Then, remove outer tie rod from inner tie rod.
INSTALLATION - OUTER TIE ROD
NOTE: Before installing outer tie rod on inner tie rod, be sure jam nut is on inner tie rod.
1. Install outer tie rod on inner tie rod. Do not tighten inner to outer tie rod jam nut.
2. Install outer tie rod on steering knuckle.
CAUTION: To ensure the stud of the tie rod end is adequately pulled into the steering knuckle the washer must be installed between the nut and the steering knuckle.
3. Install washer and nut attaching tie rod ends to steering knuckles. Tie rod end attaching nut is tightened and torqued using a crow foot and a 11/32 socket as shown in the image. Tighten the tie rod end castle nuts to a torque of 51 Nm (38 ft. lbs.).
4. Install front fender on steering knuckle. Install the 3 nuts mounting the fender bracket to the steering knuckle. Tighten the nuts to a torque of 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).
5. Install wheel and tire.
6. Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half the specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
7. Install the center cap on the wheel
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Adjust the front wheel toe on vehicle.