1. Safety First:
***Park your car on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels to ensure safety.
***Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down.
2. Remove the wheel:
***Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the front wheel that corresponds to the inner tie rod you're replacing.
***Jack up the front end of the car until the tire is off the ground.
***Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
3. Locate the inner tie rod:
***The inner tie rod is located behind the wheel hub, connecting the steering rack to the wheel assembly.
4. Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle:
***Locate the tie rod end, which is the outer part of the inner tie rod that connects to the steering knuckle.
***There will be a nut holding the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a wrench to loosen and remove this nut.
***Once the nut is removed, use a ball joint separator or pry bar to separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
5. Remove the inner tie rod:
***Locate the inner tie rod end, which is the part of the tie rod that connects to the steering rack.
***There will be a jam nut and then the tie rod nut holding the inner tie rod to the steering rack. Use wrenches to loosen and remove these nuts.
***Once the nuts are removed, you can unscrew the inner tie rod from the steering rack.
6. Install the new inner tie rod:
***Screw the new inner tie rod onto the steering rack until it is hand-tight.
***Tighten the jam nut and then the tie rod nut to the specified torque as provided in the vehicle's repair manual.
7. Reattach the tie rod end to the steering knuckle:
***Insert the tie rod end back into the steering knuckle and secure it with the nut. Tighten the nut to the specified torque.
8. Reinstall the wheel:
***Put the wheel back on the hub and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
***Lower the car using the jack, then use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to the specified torque.
9. Alignment Check:
***It is recommended to have your vehicle's alignment checked after replacing the inner tie rod, as any adjustments made during the process can affect the alignment.
Remember, if you are not familiar with automotive repairs or do not have the proper tools, it's best to have this service done by a qualified mechanic to ensure the safety and proper functioning of your vehicle.
