Attention! When installing the tie rod, new ball joint nuts must be used.
Removing
1. Apply the parking brake, then raise the front of the vehicle and support it on stands. Remove the corresponding front wheel.
2. Remove the nuts securing the tie rod ball joints to the steering knuckle and intermediate arm or pitman arm. Using a puller, remove the ball joints and remove the tie rod from under the vehicle.
3. Check that the tie rod ball joints move freely and smoothly, and that their protective covers are not cracked or damaged. If the ball joints have play or are hard to turn, and also have mechanical damage, they must be replaced. If the ball joint protectors are damaged, replace them, also filling the ball joints with fresh lubricant.
Installation
1. Clean the tie rod ball joints. If a new tie rod assembly is being installed, check the tie rod length. The distance between the centers of the ball joints must be 333±2 mm.
2. Install the tie rod in place, while keeping in mind that the inner joint is fixed with a clip, and the outer one with a lock nut and a compression ring. Install the ball joint trunnions into the hole in the steering knuckle and intermediate arm or steering arm.
3. Screw new nuts onto the ball joints and tighten them to the required torque.
4. Install the wheel, then lower the vehicle to the ground and torque tighten the wheel bolts. Check and, if necessary, adjust the toe-in of the front wheels.