How hard is it to replace tie rod ends?

[99prixgt]

I got my new Yokohama tires put on today. When i took it for an alignment, they said they couldnt do it because my driver-side tie rod end has play in it. They said they would replace the tie rod end and do the alignment for $250.00. Im like yeah ill think about it. So i went home and orderd a new tie rod end and control arms from rockauto. I was wondering how hard it is to put this new tie rod end on.

[Sabrewings]

It just unscrews. Getting the tires lined up right when you're done so you can make it to the alignment place is the trick. I just eyeballed it when I replaced both outer tie rod ends on my car and the alignment guy said it was pretty close.

Some say mark the threads on the tie rod, but that doesn't work when the new tie rod end is a different brand, and thus a different overall length.

[99prixgt]

thanks sabrewings

[Sabrewings]

Just make sure you seat the jam nut against it pretty hard before you go driving.

[99prixgt]

Does the the tie rod end need to be torqued?

[Sabrewings]

No. That's not how it works. The tie rod screws into the end until your alignment is achieved. Then the jam nut is screwed (jammed) against the tie rod end to keep it from ever changing.

[59chevy]

maybe i missed something somewhere but do you need a inner or an outer tie rod. outers i always just crack the jam nut loose like 1/4 turn , take off the castle nut and break the taper between the outer tie rod and spindle , count how many turns to remove it and thread the new one on the same amount and then tighten the jam nut , 99% of the time its right there. inner tie rod ends are a little more complex needing special sockets.


p.s. are you on syty also ?

[99prixgt]

I put the tie rod end on, i didnt remove the nut that was seated to the old tie rod. Then i tight'ed down the seat nut. The part that i was wondering if needed to be torqued was the nut that holds the tie rod to the wheel assembly. I ened up tightening it enough i believe 30ft pounds. Whats syty?

[Sabrewings]

outers i always just crack the jam nut loose like 1/4 turn , take off the castle nut and break the taper between the outer tie rod and spindle , count how many turns to remove it and thread the new one on the same amount and then tighten the jam nut , 99% of the time its right there.

Like I said, didn't work for me. The Moogs have a different length body than stock.