How To: Feeler, Inner and Outer Tie Rod Replacement

How To: Inner and Outer Tie Rod Replacement GEN 2

How To: Remove and Install your Inner and Outer Tie Rods

Tool List
-Hammer
-Needle Nose Pliers
-Inner Tie Rod Removal Tool (1 7/16")
-22mm Open End Wrench
-22mm Socket
-1/2' Drive Socket Wrench
-Cheater Pipe
-Tourch (if you are re-using your inner or outer Tie Rod)
-Sawzall or angle grinder (If you are replacing both)

How-To:
1. Jack the truck up and place on jack stands.

2. Remove the wheel(s) on the side(s) that you are working on.

3. Use the needle nose pliers to remove the cotter pin.

4. Use your socket and socket wrench to remove 22mm nut on the Outer Tie Rod. You may need the cheater pipe for this.


5. Hit the outer Tie Rod with a hammer to knock it free from the spindle.

6. Back the nut off on the inner tie rod to allow easier removal of the outer tie rod. (I was replacing both inner and outer so i cut mine off instead of messing with the bolts)


7. Carefully remove the 2 hose clamps holding the boot to the rack and pinon



8. Remove the boot


9. Use the inner tie rod tool to unscrew your inner tie rod from the rack and pinon.



Reverse the process to install the new Tie Rods.

10. Make sure after you thread the new inner tie rod on you replace your boot with both hose claps before placing the nut back on the inner Tie Rod.


11. Thread the nut on the inner Tie Rod.


12. Thread the outer Tie Rod onto the inner.


13. Ensure the spindle is straight with your sterring wheel straight and attach the outer tie rod to the spindle.

14. Toruqe the outer tie rod nut and palce the new cotter pin in, beinding it around the castleated nut.

Do it man I'm sure tons of people will find it helpful and we always love new how to threads!

YEp do it..

Definitely do it! The more technical data we can have here, the better. It'll help XN become and stay the best Xterra forum anywhere.

Yes, please post here. Good luck!

The outers are pretty easy, but the inners would be nice. Seeing as I want to do this sometime next week. Dooooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeet!

I just got the inner tie rod tool in the mail, i just need a nice day so i can get to work.

Editied to add the How-To, pictures will be added tonight as i do my passenger side.

I just noticed this was a a GEN2 writeup...does this work for GEN1's?

Not sure as i havent been under a GEN 1, it should be the same in principal but the size of inner tie rod clip you need may be diffrent.