🔧 Tie Rod End - Replacement

Replacing the outer tie rod end restores steering feel and helps eliminate looseness, clunks, or uneven tire wear. After the new part is installed, the front toe must be checked and adjusted because this repair changes wheel alignment.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and keep the parking brake set.
• Support the vehicle with jack stands before removing the wheel.
• Do not let the steering knuckle hang by the brake hose or axle.
• Mark the old tie rod end position before removal to help keep alignment close enough to drive to the shop.
• An alignment is required after this repair.

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🔧 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
• 19mm lug wrench or socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• Locknut wrench or open-end wrench for tie rod jam nut
• Needle-nose pliers
• Tie rod end puller or separator tool (specialty)
• Torque wrench
• Paint marker
• Measuring tape

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Outer tie rod end - Qty: 1
• Outer tie rod end locknut - Qty: 1
• Cotter pin - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and center the steering wheel.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• Measure the exposed threaded length of the old tie rod end or count the turns during removal. This helps keep the alignment close enough to move the car safely.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the front wheel

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to raise the front of your Accord.
• Support it with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the wheel using a 19mm lug wrench or socket.

Step 2: Mark the tie rod position

• Use a paint marker to mark the current position of the outer tie rod end on the threaded inner rod.
• Measure the exposed threads with a measuring tape.
• Keep this close for a safer test drive.

Step 3: Remove the cotter pin and loosen the castle nut

• Use needle-nose pliers to straighten and remove the cotter pin from the tie rod stud.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the castle nut from the tie rod end stud.
• If the stud spins, hold it with a 17mm wrench on the stud flats if equipped.

Step 4: Separate the tie rod end from the knuckle

• Use a tie rod end puller or separator tool (specialty) to pop the stud out of the steering knuckle.
• Do not hammer directly on the stud threads.
• Use steady pressure, not brute force.

Step 5: Remove the old tie rod end

• Loosen the jam nut with a locknut wrench or open-end wrench for tie rod jam nut.
• Count the turns as you spin the old tie rod end off the inner rod.
• Record that number so the new part goes on in the same position.

Step 6: Install the new tie rod end

• Thread the new outer tie rod end onto the inner rod the same number of turns as the old one.
• Install the new outer tie rod end locknut and snug it, but do not fully torque yet if the design requires final centering first.
• Insert the stud into the steering knuckle.

Step 7: Torque the fasteners

• Use a torque wrench to tighten the tie rod end castle nut to 44 Nm (32 ft-lbs).
• If the cotter pin hole does not line up, tighten slightly more only until the next slot aligns.
• Install the new cotter pin and bend the ends over with needle-nose pliers.
• Tighten the jam nut to 44 Nm (32 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall the wheel and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the car and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock to confirm smooth movement.
• Check that the wheel is centered during a short, slow test drive.
• Schedule a front-end alignment as soon as possible.
• If the steering wheel is off-center, do not keep driving long distances.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$90 (parts only)

You Save: $145-$260 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-2 hours.

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🎯 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.