Hello all,
I have play in my drivers side outer tie rod end. I have decided to replace it myself as it does not look very complicated.[I THINK]
It appears like it is one nut to loosen and to unscrew tie rod end while counting? the number of turns so as to keep alignment specs..


Has anyone done this job and am I seeing this correctly? Is there a specific way or tools to best unscrew the end from the shaft? THANKS!

 

I did this recently and it's really not difficult but it becomes difficult when the components are rusted and seized up. The jam nut on my outer tie rod end would not budge even with a little heat so I ended just leaving it. You can unscrew the tie rod end off the tie rod without moving the jam nut.

I ended replacing it with an OEM mitsubishi part so it most closely matches the original part and less chance of need an alignment. I did purchase an aftermarket part first for less than half of the OEM part's price but found it looked significantly different and the overall length was different so more likely an alignment was required.

Anyone will tell you should do an alignment any time you remove or replace any front end suspension parts. However my alignment felt fine with no obvious signs of abnormal tire wear so I couldn't justify an alignment just yet. Happy to say the alignment is still fine after the new part was installed.

For detailed steps you can search youtube for "How to Replace an Outer Tie Rod End". More steps than I would care to type out. Good luck with it!

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm wondering if anyone else has replaced them using aftermarket parts like Moog or Beck Arnley, as I know these are inexpensive and probably built to a good quality. Was the physical length of the tie road end different than the OEM one?

 

You have the right idea. I just did this earlier this year. However I ordered Moog parts from RockAuto. What came in the box was another brand...but came in a Moog box. RockAuto said it was normal...confirmed with a quick google search. If I were to do it again, i'd get OEM...supposing the manufacturer is the same...they lasted 160k miles.

I would get an alignment done afterwards. My steering felt fine, but I drove to the shop in the rain...they said it was off a good amount. I do recommend the Firestone lifetime alignment deal. Paid $160 6 years ago. I get them aligned every oil change...tires last a long time.

 

The aftermarket part I returned was a Moog. Very different looking than the OEM part but I'm sure it would work perfectly fine. You can use the savings of the part to put towards the cost of the alignment if you go that route.