🔧 Tie Rod End - Replacement

Replacing the outer tie rod end on your Ram restores steering tightness and helps fix clunks, wandering, or uneven tire wear. This repair must be followed by a professional wheel alignment because even a small change in tie rod length affects toe angle.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-2.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the truck securely on jack stands before removing any front wheel.
• Do not work under a truck supported only by a jack.
• Keep hands clear of the steering linkage while turning the steering wheel.
• An alignment is required after this repair.
• If equipped with an electronic steering system warning or steering angle issues after repair, have the system checked.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 19mm wrench
• Tie rod end puller (specialty)
• Ball joint separator (specialty)
• Breaker bar
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Cotter pin pick
• Safety glasses
• Gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Outer tie rod end - Qty: 1
• Cotter pin - Qty: 1
• Jam nut - Qty: 1 if damaged or seized
• Front end alignment - Qty: 1 service

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• Mark the current tie rod end position with a paint marker so the new part is close enough to drive to the alignment shop.
• Penetrating oil helps with rusty parts.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front of the truck

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to raise the front corner of the truck.
• Place a jack stand under the frame and lower the truck onto it.
• Remove the wheel with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Loosen the tie rod end hardware

• Spray the tie rod end nut and jam nut with penetrating oil.
• Use a 19mm wrench to hold the tie rod end shaft and a 21mm socket to loosen the jam nut.
• Remove the cotter pin with a cotter pin pick, then remove the tie rod end nut with an 18mm socket.

Step 3: Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle

• Use a tie rod end puller (specialty) to press the stud out of the knuckle.
• If needed, use a ball joint separator (specialty) to release a stubborn taper.
• Do not hammer on the steering knuckle.

Step 4: Remove the old tie rod end

• Count the turns while unthreading the old tie rod end from the inner rod, or measure and match your paint mark.
• Use a 19mm wrench to hold the inner rod if needed.
• Remove the old tie rod end and set the jam nut aside if it will be reused.

Step 5: Install the new tie rod end

• Thread the new tie rod end on the same number of turns as the old one.
• Install the jam nut by hand first.
• Insert the stud into the steering knuckle.
• Install the new nut with an 18mm socket and Torque to factory specification.
• Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut if equipped.

Step 6: Tighten the jam nut

• Use a 19mm wrench to hold the tie rod end shaft and a 21mm socket to tighten the jam nut.
• Torque to factory specification.

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel and lower the truck

• Reinstall the wheel with a 21mm socket.
• Lower the truck with the floor jack and remove the jack stand.
• Torque the lug nuts to factory specification.

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✅ After Repair

• Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock and make sure nothing binds.
• Check that the cotter pin is fully installed.
• Drive slowly to the alignment shop.
• Schedule a front-end alignment as soon as possible.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$380 (parts + labor, plus alignment)

DIY Cost: $35-$90 (parts only, plus alignment)

You Save: $145-$290 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 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.