How to fix a tie rod end

Not a tie rod but the upper ball joint in my 72 Chevelle SS came apart last year on the way to get them changed and aligned. Dont forget to properly torque the fastener and install a new cotter pin.

Locate the tie rod ends under the vehicle.

How to fix a tie rod end. Twist the inner tie rod end counterclockwise until it is loose. Pull it off of the car. If you can gain access to the inner tie rod end this can possibly be done with a wrench if necessary.

You can get an adaptor that fits over the inner tie rod end and makes it easier to fit a socket onto the inner tie rod. How to replace inner and outer tie rods. This video will show you in depth how to change the inner and outer tie rods of your car or truck.

You need a specia. How to Replace an Outer Tie End. Park your vehicle on a flat dry surface and install wheel chocks.

Wear appropriate gloves and safety goggles. Lift the car place it on. Locate the Outer Tie Rod End.

Locate the Inner Tie Rod End. Loosen the Jam Nut RP Type or adjust Sleeve Nut. The only way to fix a tie rod end is to have it replaced.

Its a good idea to make sure the tie rod has failed before doing so. You can confirm a worn tie rod by performing a visual inspection and checking it for excessive play. Once a tie rod end has been replaced you should get an alignment to ensure everything is back to normal.

If you have plenty of clearance past the end of the thread Id suggest that you weld a piece of threaded rod to the end of the ruined stub. Make up a spacer collar to go over the repaired area so that when you tighten up the new nut you can push the collar against the female socket and get the taper tight again. How a Tie Rod Works.

It is made up of an inner tie rod and an outer tie rod. These rods are connected to the steering system and then to the wheels. When you turn the steering wheel the rods roll over a slotted rack which makes the front tires turn.

The rods will either push or pull the tires depending on which way youre turning. On a rack and pinion type steering system if an inner tie rod end is being replaced the tie rod steering shaft boot is removed and the tie rod unthreaded from the steering rack and the outer tie rod end. New tie rod ends are installed with all fasteners and the adjusting lock nut tightened to the required OEM torque value.

Tue Jan 12 2016 433 pm Post subject. Ever repair a tie rod end. Not a tie rod but the upper ball joint in my 72 Chevelle SS came apart last year on the way to get them changed and aligned.

Jacked it up along side the road popped the ball back in and wired around the end of the A-arm to hold it together. First your mechanic will examine the vehicle to get to the root of the problem and make sure that there are no other contributing factors or something else thats actually causing the issue. When your mechanic is certain that the tie rods are in need of replacement hell then proceed to remove the road wheel.

Insert the other end of the tie rod into its cavity of the steering knuckle. Install and tighten down the nut that fastens the tie rod end to the knuckle. Slide a new cotter pin through the tie rod end and fastening nut.

Use your combination wrench to tighten the lock nut securing the outer tie rod to the inner tie rod. Locate the tie rod ends under the vehicle. Theyre mounted to the steering knuckle and are generally 6 inches long with a ball joint at one end.

An adjustment sleeve joins the tie rod to the steering linkage. Slide that bad boy up on the stem of the tie rod end and reasemble the joint. Dont forget to properly torque the fastener and install a new cotter pin.

709 members in the DIYAutoRepair community. Automotive repair DIY tips and tricks. At every oil change grease the tie rod ends.

Look for a grease fitting on the outer edge by the bushing. Clean it off and use a grease gun filled with the proper grease. The new grease pushes out the old as well as any collected contaminants and road grit.

Properly expose the existing 58 inch 1588 millimeters diameter tie rod hole to a depth of three inches 7620 millimeters. Take a standard screwdriver dowel rod or a tie rod bar to finish exposing the hole to a 3 inch 7620 millimeters depth. If necessary the area may need to be drilled out using a 58 inch 1588 millimeters masonry bit.

Tie rods are a vital link in the process of you turning the steering wheel and your car going where you want it to go. Repairs are made by replacing the worn ends of each tie rod.