🔧 Escape - Outer Tie Rod End Replacement

The outer tie rod end connects your steering rack to the steering knuckle at the wheel. Replacing it restores safe steering and helps prevent uneven tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.0 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support your Escape on jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🛑 After replacement, your toe alignment will change; get a professional alignment ASAP.
• 🛑 If you remove a cotter pin, always install a new cotter pin.
• 🛑 Keep hands clear when separating the joint—it can “pop” loose suddenly.

---

🔧 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
• 19mm socket
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs)
• Pliers
• Diagonal cutters
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Adjustable wrench
• 22mm open-end wrench
• 18mm socket
• Tie rod end puller (specialty)
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Outer tie rod end - Qty: 1
• Cotter pin (tie rod end nut) - Qty: 1
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly with a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Spray penetrating oil on the tie rod end stud/nut and the jam nut threads.
• Count turns carefully to keep alignment close.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the wheel

• Use a floor jack to lift the front corner you’re working on.
• Place a jack stand under a solid frame/support point and lower onto it.
• Remove the lug nuts using a 19mm socket and take the wheel off.

Step 2: Mark and loosen the jam nut

• Locate the jam nut (the lock nut behind the outer tie rod end). It locks the alignment setting.
• Use a paint marker to mark the tie rod end position on the threads for reference.
• Hold the tie rod with an adjustable wrench and loosen the jam nut using a 22mm open-end wrench (crack it loose, but don’t move it far yet).

Step 3: Remove the cotter pin and loosen the tie rod end nut

• Use pliers and/or diagonal cutters to straighten and remove the cotter pin from the tie rod end stud.
• Remove the castle nut using an 18mm socket.

Step 4: Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle

• Install and tighten a tie rod end puller (specialty) until the joint pops free.
• Keep your face away from the joint.

Step 5: Remove the old outer tie rod end (count turns)

• Spin the outer tie rod end off by hand while counting the exact number of turns it takes to remove.
• Write the number down.

Step 6: Install the new outer tie rod end

• Apply a light coat of anti-seize compound to the threads.
• Thread the new outer tie rod end on by hand for the same number of turns you counted earlier.
• Seat the stud into the steering knuckle.
• Install the new castle nut and tighten with an 18mm socket: Torque to 63 Nm (46 ft-lbs).
• If the cotter pin hole doesn’t line up, tighten the nut slightly until it aligns (do not loosen to align).
• Install a new cotter pin using pliers and bend the ends over.

Step 7: Tighten the jam nut

• Hold the tie rod with an adjustable wrench.
• Tighten the jam nut against the tie rod end using a 22mm open-end wrench: Torque to 55 Nm (41 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the Escape off the jack stand using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench: Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock to confirm smooth movement and no binding.
• Road-test at low speed and listen for clunks.
• Schedule a front-end alignment immediately to prevent tire wear.
• If your new tie rod end has a grease fitting, grease it using the correct chassis grease per the part instructions.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$350 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $30-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $150-$260 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.