Tie Rod Removal - Replacement

From Taurus Car Club Maintenance and Modification Wiki

To repair the dreaful squeaking I heard from the front Driver's side I replaced the outer tie rod ends for my Gen 3 Taurus. I replaced both at the same time and here's the details.

To begin, I purchased 2 new outer Tie rod ends from Autozone - $15.00 each.

Of course, jack up the car and remove the wheel.

Start to remove the tie rod by using two wrenches, one on the bolt connecting the tie rod end to the tie rod (turn counterclockwise), and one on the tie rod end to hold it steady. In my case, this was a real pain and I had to liberally soak the nut in WD-40 to break it loose.

Loosen the nut.

Turning to the bottom of the tie rod end below the socket is a cotter pin and a nut which must also be removed.

Once removed turn back to the where the tie rod end meets the tie rod. Mark where they meet with white out or paint and then remove the tie rod end by twisting it off.

To actually remove the tie rod I had to use a Tie Rod End Removal tool ($10 at autozone) only because it was damn near fused into the socket for me.

Installation is the opposite of removal. Twist the tie rod end back onto the tie rod to the level of white out mark, seat it in the socket, connect the nut and cotter pin below and tighten the tie-rod-end/tie-rod nut.

The replacement tie rod ends I purchased had a screw top for addition of lubrication.

Throw the tires back on and celebrate your new non-squeaking tie rod ends.