Where are the ball joints on a tie rod?
A tie rod is a mechanical part that connects your steering gear to your steering knuckle. They consist of two parts, inner and outer ends, that are connected and can be adjusted at the middle. Each end has a ball joint, so each tie rod has two ball joints.
What should I use to replace my tie rod?
Once the tie rod is loose, you should be able to spin it off freely and replace it with the Whiteline replacement tie rod end. Try to get it close to the same location as the original tie rod. We locked the tie rod end into place using the lock nut and manufacturer’s torque rating.
How to tighten and torque tie rod ends?
Tighten and torque the ball joint and tie rod end components to the manufacturers specified torque ratings, which can be found with some research. We reattached the sway bar, which we removed earlier to move the control arms. Double-check that everything is tightened and torqued.
What do you need to remove lower ball joint?
Removing the front sway bar end links allows the control arms to move independently, which gave us the movement in the control arm we needed to remove the lower ball joint. The outer tie rod is connected to the spindle using a castle-type nut. A cotter pin holds the castle nut in place and must be removed before the 19 mm nut can be removed.
What are the signs of a bad tie rod or ball joint?
A failing tie rod end has more of a brief, high-pitched shriek. This could just be a bad ball joint, so take a look to be sure. Loose steering feel. Also described as clunky or shaky steering, this will feel like a slight disconnect between steering movement and the associated movement in the wheel/tire.
How much does it cost to repair a tie rod?
According to our research, the average mechanic or dealership charges $170 to $450 per inner or outer tie rod. Parts, depending on the car you drive, will be in the $30 to $150 range, while labor will be in the same price range.
What are the symptoms of a bad inner tie rod?
The symptoms that usually indicate worn inner tie rod sockets are a “loose” feeling in the steering wheel, steering wander and/or toe wear on the front tires. Badly corroded inner tie rod sockets will sometimes bind, causing poor steering return and/or hard steering.
How do you replace a tie rod?
Step 1: Park the car on a flat surface and loosen the lug nuts. Step 2: Raise the vehicle. Step 3: Remove the lug nuts and the tire. Step 4: Turn the steering wheel to the appropriate direction. Step 5: Prepare to remove the tie rod end. Step 6: Remove the cotter pin from the tie rod end. Step 7: Remove the old tie rod end.