How easy is it to replace tie rods?

[worldspeaker]

Hi everyone,

Have a 98 I30 which needs new tie rods. I have never worked on suspension or steering parts so would like some advice. How difficult is it to do and are there any tricks I should know or anything to watch out for?

Thanks,

Dave

[johnnyd6404]

Tie rods are relativly easy you just need the remover tool it looks like a pipe with a V at the end it pops the tie rod off. The instalation is easy just pound the new one on but it needs to be aligned after, thats for the pros. You can borow the tool from Autozone if there is one near you. Check it out in the Haynes or chilton manual. Good luck

[MaximA32]

Tie rods are relativly easy you just need the remover tool it looks like a pipe with a V at the end it pops the tie rod off.

It's called a pickle fork.

The instalation is easy just pound the new one on

It's not even close to that. It threads in. It doesn't "pound on".

it needs to be aligned after, thats for the pros.

Agreed. Take it somewhere to get the alignment taken care of. Smartest thing you've said so far.

[Mike G]

How do you know you need tie rods? I presume you are actually talking tie rod ends. On your car, there are four, two inner and two outer. Would you want to replace all four or do you have one or two specifically targeted. Just to give you an idea, for the inner ends, they book out at 2 hours for both, or just over an hour for one. The outer ends book at a little over 1 hour hour for both and just under an hour for one.Just helping with info, --Mike

[worldspeaker]

Thanks to all of you for the info. I had just had some axles put in at a local Midas and we discovered there was alot of play in the tie rods. I thought I might put them in myself and then have a shop do the alignment. Trying to save a little money. There is quite a bit of play in them and it was pretty obvious they are shot. I am assuming however that it is all four of them. Sounds like there are a lot of opportunities to really mess things up if I am not careful.

Thanks again,

Dave