How hard is it to fix a tie rod end on a car? Specifically a 2001 Chevy Impala...?

Question

I have had my Impala diagnosed because the wheel was shakey and the tie rod end needs to be replaced and I was told I needed to of the parts that have to be used and I also need and alignment and 2 new tires. Does anyone know if it would be terribly hard to fix the tie rod end yourself?

Answer 1

Its easy as pie if you go to Auto Zone and with a credit card borrow (you get full credit when you bring it back) at pitman arm puller. First break loose the jam nut that is in back of the tie rod end. You'll need the pitman arm puller (yoke shaped tool) with an adjustable press in the center to pop the tie rod loose form the steering arm in back of the wheel spindle. Remove the cotter key and remove the nut at the end of the tie-rod end. Place the curved forks around the steering arm and torque the center bolt against the end of the tie-rod end they pop loose rather easily. Simply turn counter clockwise the old tie-rod end off counting the complete turns.
Screw the new one on the same number of turns drop the the end of the tie-rod into the steering arm and tighten the slotted / castle nut and slide in a new cotter key.

It's best to have your toe checked when your finished at an alignment shop as all replacement tie-rod ends are not equal length

Answer 2

First off, is it the inner or outer tie rod end? If it is the outer tie rod end, you don't need to go pull out no plastic at Autozone for no tool. Remove the cotter pin from the tie rod stud if it has one. It may or may not have a plastic 'locking nut' that holds the tie rod in place. Loosen the jam nut on the inner tie rod that tightens against the outer tie rod end. Loosen the locking nut that holds the tie rod end in the steering knuckle. Next, take you a BFH, big fn hammer, and smack the steering knuckle where the outer tie rod end goes through. When it falls out of the steering knuckle, it should spin right off the inner tie rod end. If it is the inner tie rod end, follow the previous instructions, then loosen the clamps on the bellows boot that keeps road grime out of your steering rack. Remove the jam nut that you loosened before, then slide the bellows boot off the tie rod end. Now, if it is the inner tie rod end, you will have to go drop plastic at Autozone and get an inner tie rod end removal tool. Looks like a really long socket. The type they have might use adaptors, but should come with instructions. That will remove the inner tie rod end, simply by screwing it off the steering rack. Installation is the reverse, but you will still have to get yourself an alignment when you are done. You should be able to put an inner tie rod end on that car in about 45 minutes. If it is just the outer, I could have replaced it in the time it took to type this answer.

Answer 3

Just got a 2001 Chevy impala with 215,000 miles. Runs great

Answer 4

no.......not very hard.......but you will need a special tool called a tie rod end separation fork.........it look,s like a very large tuning fork only sharpened on the fork end......you,ll also need a large hammer,medium pipe wrench,& assorted hand tool,s......when disassembling be sure to count the amount of turn,s on the tie rod adjusting sleeve.....so that upon reassembly you will be very close to original allignment.....then take it to an allignment shop for final allignment....if youve never done this type of work...pick up a chilton,s or hayne,s manual for your vehicle.....it will give you step by step instruction,s......good luck!

Answer 5

PLEASE go to a good shop--they have the tools and know how to do the job--you will not be able to do this properly--including the alignment part. Besides that, a shop guarantees the work