Even the trusty Ford Explorer needs some help when the tie rod end gets bent or has too much play. Your steering will be affected, and the situation won't improve with an alignment. However, once you change the Explorer's tie rod ends and get it aligned, you'll find that the performance of you SUV will improve. The good news is you can replace the tie rod ends yourself.
Buy tie rod ends for your Ford Explorer and make sure they're the ones that are specific to your vehicle. The tie rod ends can change from model year to model year. You don't want to get stuck with ones that won't work on your vehicle. The tie rod ends often come with nuts and cotter pins (glorified bobby pins).
Loosen the lug nuts on the Ford Explorer's wheels and jack it up. Support the SUV on jacks, then remove the tires.
Use a wrench to loosen the jam nut on the tie rod end. Take out the cotter pin on the end of the tie rod end with a set of needle-nosed pliers, and loosen and remove the nut.
Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle with a tie rod end puller.
Unscrew the tie rod end form the threaded portion of the tie rod, and make sure you count the number of turns it takes. Write down that number.
Screw on the replacement tie rod end, then slip it into the steering knuckle. Tighten the nut on the end of the new tie rod end to 52 foot pounds. Slip in the new cotter pin (you may have to turn the nut a little more to do so). Tighten the jam nut to 59 foot pounds.
Repeat the steps for the other tie rod end. Put back on the tires, and tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot pounds. Get your Ford Explorer aligned.
