🔧 Murano - Tie Rod End Replacement

On your Murano, the tie rod end connects the steering rack (or inner tie rod) to the steering knuckle and lets the wheel turn while staying aligned. Replacing a worn tie rod end restores tight steering and prevents uneven tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours (per side)

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and gloves; rust and debris fall when separating the joint.
• 🔥 Avoid working near hot brakes/rotors if you just drove.
• 🧭 An alignment is required after tie rod work 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
• Lug wrench (21mm)
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (10mm-22mm)
• Combination wrench set (10mm-22mm)
• Pliers
• Side cutters
• Pick tool
• Paint marker
• Tape measure
• Penetrating oil
• Hammer (16 oz)
• Tie rod end puller (specialty)
• Grease gun
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front outer tie rod end - Qty: 1
• Cotter pin - Qty: 1
• Grease (chassis grease) - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, straighten the steering wheel, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Spray penetrating oil on the tie rod end jam nut and the stud nut area and wait 5-10 minutes.
• Quick check: confirm you’re replacing the outer tie rod end (at the wheel/knuckle).

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the wheel lug nuts

• Use a 21mm lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts 1/2 turn while the tire is still on the ground.

Step 2: Raise and support the front corner

• Lift with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the wheel using the 21mm lug wrench.

Step 3: Mark the current tie rod position

• Use a paint marker to mark the tie rod end’s position relative to the threads.
• Use a tape measure to measure from a fixed point (like the jam nut face) to the center of the tie rod end and write it down.
• This helps keep alignment close for the drive.

Step 4: Loosen the jam nut

• Hold the inner tie rod with a combination wrench and loosen the jam nut with another combination wrench.
• Do not spin the inner tie rod itself more than necessary.

Step 5: Remove the cotter pin (if equipped)

• Straighten and remove the cotter pin using pliers and side cutters.
• If the pin is stuck, use a pick tool to help pry it out.

Step 6: Remove the tie rod end stud nut

• Remove the nut from the tie rod end stud using a ratchet and a correctly sized socket.
• If the stud spins, use a combination wrench on the stud’s flats (if present) while loosening the nut.

Step 7: Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle

• Install a tie rod end puller (specialty) and tighten it until the joint “pops” free.
• A tie rod end puller is a tool that pushes the stud out of the tapered hole without damaging the boot.
• If needed, tap the knuckle near the taper with a hammer (16 oz) while tension is on the puller.

Step 8: Remove the outer tie rod end

• Unscrew the tie rod end from the inner tie rod by hand, counting the turns (example: “17 turns”).
• Write the turn count down; you’ll install the new one with the same number of turns.

Step 9: Install the new outer tie rod end

• Screw the new tie rod end on using the same number of turns you counted.
• Line up your paint marker mark and/or your tape measure measurement as closely as possible.

Step 10: Seat the stud into the knuckle and tighten

• Insert the tie rod end stud into the steering knuckle.
• Install the stud nut using a ratchet and socket.
• Torque to the Nissan spec for your Murano using a torque wrench (I’ll give the exact ft-lbs once you confirm outer vs inner and which side).
• If it uses a castle nut, align the slots and install a new cotter pin using pliers. Never reuse the old cotter pin.

Step 11: Tighten the jam nut

• Hold the tie rod with a combination wrench.
• Tighten the jam nut against the tie rod end using a combination wrench.
• Torque to the Nissan spec for your Murano using a torque wrench (I’ll provide the exact number after your quick confirmation).

Step 12: Grease the joint (only if it has a grease fitting)

• If your new tie rod end includes a grease fitting, attach the grease gun and add grease until the boot just begins to swell.
• Stop before the boot balloons.

Step 13: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock; confirm no binding or clunks.
• Test drive at low speed first, then at road speed; steering wheel should be close to centered.
• Get a professional alignment as soon as possible (same day if you can).
• Recheck the jam nut and lug torque after a short drive.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $200-$450 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $35-$120 (parts only, per side)

You Save: $165-$330 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-1.5 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

Before I lock in the exact Nissan torque specs and any small differences in the steps, answer these two quick questions:

• 🔍 Are you replacing the outer tie rod end at the wheel, or the inner tie rod end at the steering rack?
• ↔️ Is it the front left or front right side?

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.