🔧 Kicks - Tie Rod End Replacement

The tie rod end connects your steering rack to the front wheel knuckle, so replacing it restores tight, safe steering and correct tire wear. The key is to keep the new part installed at the same length as the old one, then get a proper alignment afterward.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🧯 Support your Kicks on jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• 🧤 Steering parts are safety-critical—if anything binds or won’t seat, stop and re-check.
• 🔥 Let brakes/rotors cool before working near them.
• 🔩 Always install a new cotter pin if your tie rod end uses one.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Lug nut socket (match your lug nuts)
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)
• Metric socket set 10-22mm
• Metric wrench set 10-22mm
• Tie rod end puller (specialty)
• Pliers
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic 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

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, steering wheel centered, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• 🖊️ Plan to count turns (or measure length) so the new tie rod end goes on close to the original alignment.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front corner

• Use a lug nut socket (match your lug nuts) and breaker bar (1/2") to loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly.
• Use a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the front corner you’re working on.
• Place the vehicle on jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) and keep wheel chocks on the rear wheels.
• Remove the wheel using the lug nut socket (match your lug nuts).

Step 2: Mark the current position

• Spray the jam nut and threads with penetrating oil.
• Use a paint marker to mark the tie rod threads and jam nut position.
• Use a metric wrench set 10-22mm to loosen (but not remove) the jam nut.
• Tip: Take a photo before disassembly.

Step 3: Remove the outer tie rod end from the knuckle

• If equipped, straighten and remove the cotter pin using pliers.
• Remove the tie rod end nut using a metric socket set 10-22mm or metric wrench set 10-22mm.
• Separate the tie rod end stud from the knuckle using a tie rod end puller (specialty).
• Do not hammer on the steering knuckle—use the puller to avoid damage.

Step 4: Remove the old tie rod end from the inner tie rod

• Unscrew the outer tie rod end while counting the exact number of turns until it comes off.
• Write the number down so you can install the new one the same way.

Step 5: Install the new outer tie rod end

• Screw the new tie rod end on the same number of turns you counted during removal.
• Insert the stud into the steering knuckle by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Install the new nut and tighten using a metric socket set 10-22mm and torque wrench (10-200 Nm range).
• Torque to Nissan specification (outer tie rod end nut) for your Kicks.
• If equipped, install a new cotter pin using pliers after tightening (never reuse the old pin).

Step 6: Tighten the jam nut

• Hold the tie rod end with a metric wrench set 10-22mm and tighten the jam nut with a second metric wrench set 10-22mm.
• Torque to Nissan specification (tie rod jam nut) for your Kicks.

Step 7: Reinstall the wheel

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-start lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle using the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts with a torque wrench (10-200 Nm range) using a star pattern.
• Torque to Nissan specification (wheel lug nuts) for your Kicks.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧭 Get a professional front wheel alignment as soon as possible (tie rod changes affect toe).
• 🛣️ Test drive at low speed first; confirm the steering wheel is centered and there’s no clunking.
• 🔍 Recheck the jam nut and the tie rod end nut for tightness after the test drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $180-$450 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $25-$120 (parts only, alignment extra)

You Save: $60-$250 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.

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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.

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Quick check so I can give you the exact Nissan torque specs:

• Are you replacing the outer tie rod end (the one at the wheel/knuckle), or the inner tie rod (at the steering rack)?
• Is it the front left or front right side?