Are outer tie rods supposed to twist?
You have ball joints on both ends of the tie rod outer, so you can expect to be able to rotate it as you are.
How do you replace an outer tie rod?
Move the pinch nut up to touch the outer tie rod end. This will mark the location of your outer tie rod end and you will know how far to thread on the replacement. Do not tighten the pinch nut. If you do, you will not be able to easily turn the outer tie rod end. Remove the cotter pin.
Where are the tie rod ends on a car?
Locate the outer tie rod end. When you remove the wheel, you will be able to see the steering knuckle. There will be a shaft going through this knuckle with a castle nut on the bottom and a round head on top. This is the outer tie rod. Locate the inner tie rod end. Cars often have an inner tie rod end as well.
Where is the cotter pin on a tie rod?
Remove the cotter pin. This pin will be located where the tie rod end meets the steering knuckle. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to straighten out the pin and then pull it out. Throw the cotter pin away. It should not be reused. Use a properly sized ratchet to remove the castle nut. This is the nut that the cotter pin went through.
Move the pinch nut up to touch the outer tie rod end. This will mark the location of your outer tie rod end and you will know how far to thread on the replacement. Do not tighten the pinch nut. If you do, you will not be able to easily turn the outer tie rod end. Remove the cotter pin.
Locate the outer tie rod end. When you remove the wheel, you will be able to see the steering knuckle. There will be a shaft going through this knuckle with a castle nut on the bottom and a round head on top. This is the outer tie rod. Locate the inner tie rod end. Cars often have an inner tie rod end as well.
Remove the cotter pin. This pin will be located where the tie rod end meets the steering knuckle. Use a pair of needle nose pliers to straighten out the pin and then pull it out. Throw the cotter pin away. It should not be reused. Use a properly sized ratchet to remove the castle nut. This is the nut that the cotter pin went through.