How to Replace a Tie Rod End in a Chevy Impala

Remove the Tie Rod End

• Buy tie rod ends specific to your Chevy Impala's model year. Tie rod ends vary from model year to model year, so you want to make certain you get the ones meant for your vehicle. You'll find that the tie rod ends come with a nut and a cotter pin (which looks like a heavy-duty bobby pin).

• Loosen the lug nuts on your front wheels but don't remove them. Jack up your vehicle, support it securely on jack stands and remove the wheels.

• Take out the cotter pin that secures the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. If your Impala has a nut that connected the ball stud of the tie rod end to the wheel knuckle, remove it.

• Mark the position of the jam nut on the tie rod end, for it's very important to put the new tie rod end in the right position, as this affects the toe angle of your Impala's steering alignment. You can use paint or chalk. Loosen the jam nut one turn.

• Remove the tie rod end from the wheel knuckle. If necessary, you can use a tie rod puller to help you.

• Separate the tie rod from the inner tie rod by unscrewing it. Try not to alter the position of the jam nut after you turned it the one turn (see Step 6).

Replace the Tie Rod End

• Make sure all of the parts are clean--especially on the stud knuckle where other parts will mate with it.

• Screw on the new tie rod end until it touches the jam nut, then unscrew it one turn.

• Put the tie rod ball stud into the wheel knuckle and tighten the nut, if it has one, to 18 ft-lbs, then turn it another 1/2 of a turn. If the tie rod end of your Impala has a cotter pin, slip the new one.

• Tighten the jam nut one turn, which will bring it against the end of the tie rod's threaded portion. Make sure you tighten the jam nut to 50 foot pounds.

• Examine the pinion dust boot as well as the rubber rack to make sure they're not twisted.

• Repeat Sections 1 and 2 for the other tie rod end on your Impala, replace the wheels and get the vehicle aligned.