Note. To perform this procedure, you will need a ball joint puller.
Removing
1. Apply the parking brake, then jack up the front of the vehicle and place it on jack stands. Remove the corresponding front wheel.
2. If the tip does not need to be replaced and will be used further, use a flatness meter and mark its position on the rod with a scriber.
3. With the tie rod in place, loosen the tip retaining locknut a quarter of a turn. Leave the nut in this position as a guide for assembly.
4. Remove the cotter pin and give the outer tie rod nut. Release the tip pivot from the pivot arm of the hub assembly - use a puller if necessary.
5. Unscrew the tip from the tie rod - count the number of turns and try not to move the locknut.
6. If necessary, count the number of threads from the end of the rod to the locknut. Record the result. Now the nut can also be removed.
7. Thoroughly clean the tip and threaded part of the rod. If the hinge is loose or, on the contrary, sour, the tip should be replaced. Carefully check the condition of the taper shank and the threaded part of the ball stud. If necessary, individually replace the damaged ball joint boot. Make sure the hinge is full of grease. If necessary, add the required amount of Milykote Longterm 2/78 grease, then install a new boot and secure it with bands.
Installation
1. If required, screw a locknut onto the tie rod (to the previous position - check the number of threads).
2. Screw the tip onto the tie rod to the same number of turns (at the same time, the lock nut should be separated from the end of the tip by exactly a quarter of a turn - achieve alignment of the marks made during the dismantling process).
3. Insert the tie rod end pivot into the pivot arm of the hub assembly and screw on the retaining nut. Tighten the nut firmly and secure with a new cotter pin.
4. Replace the wheel, then lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel bolts to the correct torque.
5. Check the front wheel alignment and correct if necessary (see Section Vehicle wheel alignment - general information). Now tighten the tie rod end locknut to the correct torque.