The outer tie rod is also known as a tie rod end. The outer tie rod connects the inner tie rod to the steering knuckle and provides the pivot point that pulls or pushes the wheel when the wheel is turned. The vehicle will need to be taken to an alignment shop after the outer tie rod has been changed, as it will disrupt the vehicle wheel alignment.
Loosen the vehicle lug nuts with the lug wrench, but do not remove them. Lift the car into the air with the floor jack and place the jack stands under the frame rails of the vehicle. Lower the vehicle down until it sits on the jack stands with the wheels off the ground. Place wheel chocks on the wheels on the ground. Remove the lug nuts and wheel from the side of the vehicle to be serviced.
Loosen the tie rod end stop nut with the wrench set a few turns, counting each full revolution. Remove the tie rod end nut that secures the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle with the tie rod separator.
Locate the flat end on the inner tie rod. Place a wrench over the flat end of the inner tie rod, and unscrew the tie rod end from the inner tie rod; prevent the inner tie rod from spinning with the wrench.
Screw the tie rod end stop nut to its original position. Thread the new tie rod end onto the inner tie rod until it hits the stop nut. Give the tie rod end stop nut a slight torque with the wrench, and place the new tie rod end into the corresponding hole on the steering knuckle.
Place a small amount of thread locking compound to the retaining nut. Thread the tie rod end retaining nut onto the tie rod end, and place a cotter pin through the hole on the tie rod end post. Lower the vehicle to the ground with the floor jack.
