Tools
- Floor jack/jack stands
- 21mm socket for lug nuts
- 17mm socket/ratchet wrench (I believe) for the outer tie rod castle nut; and optionally, sway bar link upper nut.
- pliers for cotter pin on outer tie rod castle nut, and the clamps on the tie rod boot
- several 3/8" drive extensions, and a ratchet/breaker bar.
- hammer and/or 5lbs mini sledge... also known as BFH
- zip ties
- preferred adult beverage(s)
- Inner Tie Rod Removal Tool
---- this is the one I bought: https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-and- ... /94645_0_0
The How- 1) Jack up car and support on jack stands
- 2) Remove tire
- 2a) Consumer adult beverage, if needed.
- 3) Optionally, remove the upper nut from the sway bar link on both sides. This will allow you to pivot the sway bar up and out of the way.
- 4) Remove cotter pin from outer tie rod castle nut, and break nut loose,
- 5) Using aforementioned BFH, and something to hit the outer tie rod, break it free from it's home in the steering knuckle.
- 6) Once broken free, remove outer tie rod from the inner tie rod. Recommended to count the amount of full rotations required to remove it, so you can reinstall to approximately the same spec. If you are replacing inner and outer tie rods, no need to remove it, just measure the length of threads so you can install the new one to similar depth.
- 7) Remove clamps on tie rod boot as you will need to reuse the boot.
- 8) Using aforementioned Inner Tie Rod Tool, tighten it down on the knuckle (see only pic). Using the extensions and breaker bar, break it free. once broken free, you should be able to remove it by hand.
- 9) Consume adult beverage, you're halfway done!
- 10)reinstall is opposite of removal.
- 11)when installing the tie rod boot, use zip ties to hold it down where the metal clamp was since that clamp won't be reusable. Plus, zip ties are much easier to use.
- 12)Don't forget how many turns of the outer tie rod it was and to ensure your steering wheel is straight!!!
- 12a) More adult beverages once car is back together
- 13)Now go get it aligned.