When a Dodge Intrepid's tie rod ends wear out, the front suspension becomes loose and the front wheels will move by the amount of wear on the tie rod ends. This ability for the wheels to move independently of the steering wheel will throw the alignment out in the area of "toe out." If tie rod ends are not replaced when they show excessive wear, they will continue to wear at an accelerated rate and could come out of their socket with catastrophic consequences of total loss of steering. After replacing the tie rod ends, have the car aligned.
For this job, you will need some basic tools: floor jack, jack stands, set of ½-inch sockets, ½-inch ratchet, large open-end adjustable wrench and a large set of pliers.
Raise and support the Dodge Intrepid on jack stands. Remove the wheels. Turn the ignition key just enough to unlock the steering wheel. Turn the right front wheel all the way to the left by hand to gain access to the tie rod end.
Remove the cotter pin from the tie rod stud. Remove the nut holding the stud in the spindle arm. Loosen the tie rod lock nut with the big wrench. Install the ball joint remover in-between the tie rod and the spindle. Use the large hammer and hit the remover with a good smack and the tie rod should come loose and pop up out of the spindle.
Remove the tie rod end by screwing it off but first pay attention to the way it is facing. Count the number of turns it takes to come off, because it has to go on the same amount of turns or the alignment will be so far off the car won't move at all. Install the grease fitting into the top of the new tie rod end.
Install the tie rod end the same number of turns and install the stud end into the spindle where it came out. Install the nut on the tie rod end stud and tighten. Install the cotter pin. Tighten the tie rod end lock nut with the large wrench. Grease the tie rod end. Do the other side the same way and then put the wheels back on and lower the Dodge Intrepid.
