You usually don't think of replacing the tie rods on your Grand Am until it doesn't respond to alignments and tracks crookedly. Because of its integral role with the steering and the wheels, if the tie rod is damaged or bent, the only fox is to replace it. Fortunately, you can do this yourself.
Buy the tie rods that are specific to your Pontiac Grand Am's model year.
Disconnect the cable for the negative post on your battery, then loosen the lug nuts. Hack up your car, support it on jack stands, then remove the wheels.
Take out the rack and pinion gear by disconnecting the stabilizer shafts and the control arms, removing the pinch bolt for the intermediate shaft, as well as the through bolt that secures the rear transaxle mount.
Remove the lock plate that covers the bolts on the inner tie rod, then take out the tie rod assembly.
Put back the center housing cover washer back into the rack and pinion boot, then install the bolts of the inner tie rods through the bolt support plate, the bushing for the inner pivot, as well as the center housing cover washer, and the holes that are threaded.
Tighten the bolts for the tie rod to 65 foot pounds, then install a lock plate, making sure it's notches line up with the bolt flats.
Reinstall the rack and pinion gear and fill the power steering pump, then bleed the entire steering system.
Repeat all of the steps for the other tie rod, then reconnect the battery cable. Put on the wheels, tightening the lug nuts to 100 foot pounds. Get your Grand Am aligned.
