How to Replace a Tie Rod End in a Saturn Ion

While tie rod ends may not be on the forefront of your mind, they'll make you think of them quickly when the steering's off on your Saturn Ion. The good news is that the tie rod ends are easy to replace yourself. After an alignment, your Saturn Ion will be back to its old self.

Things You'll Need

  • Lug nut wrench
  • Jack
  • Jack stands
  • Wrench or pliers
  • Tie rod separator
  • Wire brush
  • Pen and paper
  • Tie rod ends
  • Torque wrench

Remove the Tie Rod Ends

  • Purchase tie rod ends that are meant specifically for your Saturn Ion, for tie rod ends vary from model year to model year, as well as for the 1.9L engine, 2.0L and 2.2L engines, and 3.0L engines. These tie rod ends often come with nuts.

  • Loosen the lug nuts on the front tires but do not remove them. Raise your Ion up on a jack, then support it on jack stands. Remove the tires.

  • Use a wrench to loosen the jam nut that secures the outer tie rod to the inner tie rod, then take off the inner tie rod jam nut. Next, remove the nut that secured the tie rod to the steering knuckle.

  • Separate the tie rod and the steering knuckle with a tie rod separator. Unscrew the tie rod end from the inner tie rod, and keep track of the turns it takes to do so. Write down this number. Unscrew the jam nut and throw it away.

Replace the Tie Rod Ends

  • Use a wire brush to clean the threads of the inner tie rod, then screw on a new jam nut.

  • Screw on the tie rod end, making sure you do so the same number of turns as it took to unscrew the original (see Section 1, Step 4).

  • Put the tie rod end into the steering knuckle and screw on a new nut to secure it, tightening it to 18 foot pounds + 90 degrees.

  • Repeat Sections One and Two, then reinstall the tires. Tighten the lug nuts to 103 foot pounds for the 1.9L engine, 138 foot pounds for the 2.0L & 2.2L engines, and 139 foot pounds for the 3.0L engines. Get your Saturn Ion aligned.