🔧 Outback - Outer Tie Rod End Replacement

This repair replaces the outer tie rod end, which connects the steering rack to the front wheel knuckle. A worn tie rod end can cause loose steering, clunking, uneven tire wear, or poor alignment.

Difficulty Level: Beginner-Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours per side

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your Outback with jack stands before working underneath. Never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Replace tie rod ends in pairs if both sides show wear or if mileage is high.
• ⚠️ A wheel alignment is required after this repair, even if you count the turns carefully.
• ⚠️ Do not hammer directly on the steering knuckle threads or the new tie rod end stud.
• ⚠️ Keep the steering wheel centered while working to avoid changing the steering position too much.

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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
• 19mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• 19mm socket
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• Needle-nose pliers
• Tie rod end puller (specialty)
• Paint marker
• Tape measure
• Penetrating oil
• Wire brush
• 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 per side
• Outer tie rod end castle nut - Qty: 1 per side
• Cotter pin - Qty: 1 per side

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Outback on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Point the front wheels straight ahead before lifting the vehicle.
• Spray penetrating oil on the outer tie rod end jam nut and ball joint nut, then let it soak for several minutes.
• A jam nut is the locking nut on the inner tie rod that holds the outer tie rod end in position.
• A ball joint stud is the tapered pin on the tie rod end that locks into the steering knuckle.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen the front wheel lug nuts about half a turn.
• Do this while the tire is still touching the ground so the wheel does not spin.
• Loosen only; do not remove yet.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front of your Outback at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the front pinch weld or approved front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching the lift point as a backup.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheel

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel and place it flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Mark and Measure the Tie Rod Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the relationship between the outer tie rod end, jam nut, and inner tie rod threads.
• Use a tape measure to measure from the jam nut face to the center of the tie rod end stud.
• Write the measurement down before removal.
• This helps keep the alignment close enough to drive carefully to an alignment shop.
• Counting turns helps, but alignment is still required.

Step 5: Loosen the Jam Nut

• Use a wire brush to clean the exposed threads around the jam nut.
• Use penetrating oil on the jam nut if it is rusty.
• Use a 19mm wrench on the jam nut and a 17mm wrench on the tie rod end flats if needed.
• Loosen the jam nut about one turn, but do not move it far from its original position.

Step 6: Remove the Cotter Pin and Castle Nut

• Use needle-nose pliers to straighten and pull out the cotter pin from the tie rod end stud.
• Use a 19mm socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the castle nut from the tie rod end stud.
• A castle nut has slots at the top so a cotter pin can lock it in place.
• If the stud spins, apply light upward pressure with the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum under the tie rod end while loosening the nut.

Step 7: Separate the Tie Rod End from the Steering Knuckle

• Install the tie rod end puller over the steering knuckle and tie rod end stud.
• A tie rod end puller is a small press tool that pushes the stud out without damaging the rubber boot or knuckle.
• Tighten the puller with a 19mm socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive until the tie rod end pops free.
• Do not hit the threaded stud with a hammer.

Step 8: Remove the Old Outer Tie Rod End

• Turn the outer tie rod end counterclockwise by hand to remove it from the inner tie rod.
• Count the exact number of turns during removal.
• Leave the jam nut close to the marked position.
• Compare the old and new tie rod ends side by side before installing.

Step 9: Install the New Outer Tie Rod End

• Thread the new outer tie rod end onto the inner tie rod by hand.
• Use the same number of turns counted during removal.
• Line it up with the paint mark and measurement you recorded.
• Do not tighten the jam nut yet.

Step 10: Connect the Tie Rod End to the Steering Knuckle

• Insert the new tie rod end stud into the steering knuckle by hand.
• Install the new castle nut.
• Use a 19mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the castle nut to Torque to 37 Nm (27 ft-lbs).
• If the cotter pin hole does not line up, tighten the nut slightly more until the next slot lines up. Do not loosen the nut to align the hole.
• Use needle-nose pliers to install and bend the new cotter pin securely.

Step 11: Tighten the Jam Nut

• Hold the new outer tie rod end steady with a 17mm wrench.
• Use a 19mm wrench to tighten the jam nut against the outer tie rod end.
• Tighten the jam nut to Torque to 83 Nm (61 ft-lbs) if using a suitable torque wrench setup.
• If using hand tools only, tighten it firmly without twisting the tie rod end out of position.

Step 12: Reinstall the Wheel

• Place the wheel back on the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts finger-tight.
• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 13: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Outback until the tire touches the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Turn the steering wheel slowly from left to right and check that nothing binds or rubs.
• ✅ Test drive slowly at first and listen for clunks or looseness.
• ✅ Schedule a front wheel alignment immediately. This repair changes toe angle, which affects tire wear and steering.
• ✅ Recheck the jam nut and cotter pin after the first short drive.
• ✅ Avoid highway speeds until the alignment is completed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $220-$420 per side including parts, labor, and basic alignment-related labor

DIY Cost: $35-$95 per side for parts only

You Save: $150-$300 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 hours per side, plus alignment.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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