How to Replace the Outer Tie Rod End on a 2013 Hyundai Tucson
Step-by-step steering repair guide with required tools, parts list, safety tips, and alignment advice
How to Replace the Outer Tie Rod End on a 2013 Hyundai Tucson
Step-by-step steering repair guide with required tools, parts list, safety tips, and alignment advice
🔧 Tucson - Tie Rod End Replacement
Replacing the tie rod end restores tight steering and corrects play that can cause wandering and uneven tire wear. The exact steps and torque specs depend on whether you’re replacing the outer tie rod end (at the steering knuckle) or the inner tie rod (at the steering rack).
Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.0 hours (plus alignment)
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
- 🛑 Support your Tucson with jack stands—never rely on a jack.
- 🧤 Wear safety glasses; rust and debris fall when separating the joint.
- 🔥 Work on a cool vehicle; avoid hot brakes/rotors.
- 🛞 You will need a front-end alignment after replacement to prevent tire wear.
🔧 Required Tools
You'll need the following tools for this repair:
- Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
- Wheel chocks
- Safety glasses
- Mechanic gloves
- Breaker bar 1/2"
- Torque wrench 3/8" (10–100 ft-lbs range)
- Torque wrench 1/2" (50–250 ft-lbs range)
- Socket set 10mm–22mm (3/8" drive)
- Socket set 14mm–24mm (1/2" drive)
- Combination wrench set 14mm–22mm
- Needle-nose pliers
- Tie rod end puller (specialty)
- Penetrating oil
- Paint marker
- Tape measure
- Wire brush
🔩 Required Parts
HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:
- Outer tie rod end - Qty: 1
- New cotter pin - Qty: 1
- Jam nut (if damaged) - Qty: 1
đź“‹ Before You Begin
- Park on level ground, steering wheel straight, and set the parking brake.
- Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
- Spray the outer tie rod end nut and jam nut with penetrating oil and wait 5–10 minutes.
- Quick questions so I can give exact OEM torque specs and the correct procedure:
- Are you replacing the outer tie rod end (at the wheel/knuckle) or the inner tie rod (at the steering rack)?
- Which side: driver or passenger?
🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps in order:
Step 1: Confirm the part location (outer vs inner)
- Turn the steering wheel left/right and look behind the front wheel.
- The outer tie rod end is the small joint that bolts to the steering knuckle.
- The inner tie rod is closer to the center of the vehicle and attaches to the steering rack (usually under a rubber boot).
- Reply with outer/inner and driver/passenger.
Step 2: Pause before disassembly
- I’ll provide the exact, Tucson-specific steps and Torque to XX Nm (YY ft-lbs) values right after you confirm the two details above.
- This prevents stripped threads, a loose joint, or incorrect toe setting.
âś… After Repair
- Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
- Test drive at low speed first; verify steering wheel is centered and there are no clunks.
- Recheck for looseness by gently shaking the tire at 3 and 9 o’clock.
đź’° DIY vs Shop Cost
Shop Cost: $250-$550 (parts + labor + alignment)
DIY Cost: $30-$120 (parts only, alignment extra)
You Save: $130-$430 by doing it yourself!
Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-1.5 hours.
🎯 Ready to get started?
HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.
