Procedure of replacing tie rod ends?

1. Park the vehicle on a flat surface and engage the parking brake.

2. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels with a lug wrench.

3. Lift the front of the vehicle with a jack and secure it on jack stands.

4. Remove the front wheels.

5. Locate the tie rod ends on both sides of the vehicle. They are connected to the steering rack and the steering knuckle.

6. Use a wrench to loosen and remove the nut securing the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.

7. Use a tie rod end remover tool to separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle. If necessary, use a hammer to tap the tool and break the tie rod end loose.

8. Unscrew the tie rod end from the steering rack using a wrench or a pair of pliers.

9. Compare the old tie rod end with the new one to ensure they are the same size and shape.

10. Screw the new tie rod end onto the steering rack and tighten it with a wrench.

11. Insert the new tie rod end into the steering knuckle and secure it with the nut. Tighten the nut to the manufacturer's specifications.

12. Repeat the process on the other side of the vehicle if necessary.

13. Reinstall the front wheels and tighten the lug nuts.

14. Lower the vehicle to the ground and remove the jack stands.

15. Tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to ensure they are secure.

16. Test drive the vehicle to ensure the steering is aligned properly and there are no issues with the new tie rod ends.

Materials:

- New tie rod ends
- Socket wrench set
- Torque wrench
- Jack stands
- Wheel chocks
- Penetrating oil

Safety Precautions:

- Wear safety glasses and gloves.
- Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
- Place wheel chocks behind the wheels opposite to the ones being worked on.

Procedure:

1. Loosen Lug Nuts:

- Use a socket wrench to slightly loosen the lug nuts on the wheel associated with the tie rod end being replaced, but do not remove them completely.

2. Raise the Vehicle:

- Position a jack stand under the designated jack point near the wheel being worked on.
- Use a jack to carefully lift the vehicle until the wheel is approximately 6 inches off the ground.

3. Remove the Wheel:

- Completely remove the loosened lug nuts and take off the wheel.

4. Remove the Tie Rod End Castle Nut:

- Locate the castle nut at the end of the tie rod end.
- Use a socket wrench to loosen the castle nut, but do not remove it completely.

5. Separate the Tie Rod and Inner Tie Rod:

- Use a ball joint separator or a hammer and chisel to gently separate the tie rod end from the inner tie rod.

6. Remove the Tie Rod End from the Knuckle:

- Use a socket wrench to remove the nut that connects the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
- Carefully pull the tie rod end out of the knuckle.

7. Install New Tie Rod End:

- Insert the new tie rod end into the steering knuckle.
- Tighten the nut to the specified torque using a torque wrench.

8. Reinstall the Tie Rod and Inner Tie Rod:

- Align the tie rod with the inner tie rod and insert it into the ball joint socket.
- Secure the castle nut using a socket wrench. Do not overtighten.

9. Install the Wheel:

- Place the wheel back onto the hub and tighten the lug nuts by hand.
- Lower the vehicle and fully tighten the lug nuts using a torque wrench.

10. Reattach the Stabilizer Link (Optional):

- If the stabilizer link is connected to the tie rod end, reattach it using a socket wrench.

11. Repeat on Other Side (If Necessary):

- Repeat the procedure on the other side of the vehicle if another tie rod end needs to be replaced.

12. Alignment Check:

- After replacing the tie rod ends, it is recommended to have the vehicle's alignment checked by a mechanic.