🔧 Telluride - Outer Tie Rod End Replacement

Replacing the outer tie rod end restores tight, safe steering when you have play, clunking, uneven tire wear, or a torn boot. On your Telluride, the key is keeping the toe setting close so you can safely drive to an alignment afterward.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.0 hours (one side)

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🧯 Support your Telluride on jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses; rust and metal chips can fall when separating the joint.
• 🔥 If you use heat to free a stuck part, keep it away from the rubber boot and brake hose.
• 🧷 Use a new cotter pin if your model uses one; never reuse a bent pin.

---

🔧 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
• Nitrile gloves
• Lug nut socket (21mm)
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (10–200 ft-lbs range)
• Open-end wrench set (17mm–22mm)
• Adjustable pliers
• Needle-nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Tape measure (metric/SAE)
• Penetrating oil
• Hammer (16–24 oz)
• Tie rod end puller (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Outer tie rod end - Qty: 1
• New castle nut or prevailing-torque nut (if not included with tie rod end) - Qty: 1
• Cotter pin (if applicable) - 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 steering knuckle joint nut; let it soak 5–10 minutes.
• Plan on getting a front-end alignment right after; this job affects toe.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Before I give you the exact Kia torque specs: I need two quick details so I don’t guess.

• Are you replacing the front left or front right outer tie rod end?
• Is your Telluride FWD or AWD?

Here’s the full procedure flow (torque values inserted once you confirm):

Step 1: Loosen the wheel

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket with a breaker bar (1/2") to loosen the lug nuts 1/2 turn while the tire is on the ground.

Step 2: Lift and support the front corner

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift at the correct front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the wheel using the 21mm lug nut socket.

Step 3: Mark your toe setting (helps you drive to alignment)

• Use a paint marker to mark the tie rod threads and the jam nut position.
• Use a tape measure and record the distance between the front edges of the two front tires at about hub height. Write it down before disassembly.

Step 4: Loosen the jam nut

• Hold the inner tie rod with adjustable pliers (or a correctly sized open-end wrench if it fits).
• Use an open-end wrench set (17mm–22mm) to break the jam nut loose (do not spin it far yet).

Step 5: Remove the tie rod end nut from the knuckle

• If there is a cotter pin, remove it using needle-nose pliers.
• Remove the nut with an open-end wrench set (17mm–22mm).

Step 6: Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle

• Use a tie rod end puller (specialty) to press the stud out of the knuckle. (A tie rod end puller is a tool that pushes the joint apart without damaging the boot.)
• If needed, tap the side of the knuckle boss with a hammer (16–24 oz) while keeping light tension on the puller.

Step 7: Remove the tie rod end from the inner tie rod

• Count the exact number of turns as you unscrew the tie rod end by hand.
• Write the number down; install the new one with the same turns to keep toe close.

Step 8: Install the new tie rod end

• Thread the new tie rod end on the inner tie rod the exact same number of turns.
• Seat the stud into the knuckle by hand.
• Install the new nut with an open-end wrench set (17mm–22mm).
• Finish tightening with a torque wrench (10–200 ft-lbs range): Torque to the Kia spec (I’ll provide the exact value once you confirm FWD/AWD + side).
• If equipped with a castle nut, install a new cotter pin using needle-nose pliers.

Step 9: Tighten the jam nut

• Hold the inner tie rod with adjustable pliers.
• Tighten the jam nut using an open-end wrench set (17mm–22mm): Torque to the Kia spec (provided after your confirmation).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel

• Install the wheel and snug lug nuts using the 21mm lug nut socket.
• Lower the vehicle with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench (10–200 ft-lbs range): Torque to the Kia spec (I’ll include it with the other torque specs).

---

✅ After Repair

• Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock and confirm nothing binds or rubs.
• Road test at low speed first; steering wheel should be centered and stable.
• Get a professional alignment ASAP to prevent tire wear.
• Recheck the jam nut area for movement after the test drive.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor + alignment often extra)

DIY Cost: $40-$120 (parts only, alignment extra)

You Save: $130-$330 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.