🔧 CX-5 - Outer Tie Rod End Replacement

This repair replaces a worn outer tie rod end, which connects the steering rack to the front wheel knuckle and lets the wheel turn when you steer. A bad tie rod end can cause clunking, loose steering, uneven tire wear, or poor alignment.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and support your CX-5 with jack stands before going near the wheel area.
• ⚠️ Never rely on a floor jack alone. A floor jack lifts the vehicle; jack stands hold it safely.
• ⚠️ Replace only one side at a time so you can compare the old part position.
• ⚠️ The vehicle must receive a front wheel alignment after tie rod replacement.
• ⚠️ Do not drive far before alignment. Poor toe angle can quickly damage tires and affect steering.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 17mm open-end wrench
• 19mm socket
• 19mm open-end wrench
• Adjustable wrench
• Tie rod end separator (specialty)
• Ball joint separator tool (specialty)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Tape measure
• Wire brush
• Penetrating oil
• Shop rags
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile 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
• New tie rod end castle nut - Qty: 1 per side
• New cotter pin - Qty: 1 per side
• Front wheel alignment - Qty: 1 service

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your CX-5 on a flat, solid surface.
• Place the transmission in Park and set the parking brake.
• Put wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Point the front wheels straight ahead before lifting.
• Spray penetrating oil on the tie rod end nut and jam nut 10-15 minutes before removal.
• A jam nut is the locknut on the inner tie rod that holds the outer tie rod end in place.
• A cotter pin is a small bent metal pin that keeps the nut from loosening.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Tip: Loosen lugs before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of Your CX-5

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum at the front lift point to raise the vehicle.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the proper front support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently push the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheel

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove the wheel and set it flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Mark and Measure the Old Tie Rod Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the threads where the outer tie rod meets the jam nut.
• Use a tape measure to measure from the center of the tie rod end stud to the jam nut face.
• Write the measurement down before loosening anything.
• This helps keep the alignment close enough to drive carefully to an alignment shop.

Step 5: Loosen the Jam Nut

• Use a 17mm open-end wrench on the jam nut.
• Use a 19mm open-end wrench or adjustable wrench on the flats of the outer tie rod end if it tries to turn.
• Turn the jam nut loose about one turn only.
• Do not move the jam nut far from your paint mark.
• Tip: Keep the nut as a reference.

Step 6: Remove the Cotter Pin

• Use needle-nose pliers to straighten the bent ends of the cotter pin at the tie rod stud.
• Pull the cotter pin out of the castle nut.
• If it breaks, use needle-nose pliers to remove all remaining pieces.

Step 7: Remove the Tie Rod End Nut

• Use a 19mm socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen the castle nut.
• Remove the castle nut from the tie rod end stud.
• A castle nut has slots on top so a cotter pin can pass through it.

Step 8: Separate the Tie Rod End from the Steering Knuckle

• Use a tie rod end separator or ball joint separator tool to press the tie rod stud out of the steering knuckle.
• Do not hit the aluminum steering knuckle hard with a hammer.
• Once free, lift the tie rod end out of the knuckle.
• Tip: A separator prevents damage.

Step 9: Count Turns While Removing the Old Tie Rod End

• Turn the old outer tie rod end counterclockwise by hand to unscrew it from the inner tie rod.
• Count every full turn as you remove it.
• Write the turn count down.
• Example: If the old tie rod comes off in 18 turns, install the new one about 18 turns.

Step 10: 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 you counted during removal.
• Stop when it reaches your paint mark and original measurement.
• Keep the jam nut loose for final positioning.

Step 11: Install the Tie Rod Stud into the Steering Knuckle

• Insert the new tie rod end stud into the steering knuckle by hand.
• Install the new castle nut by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 19mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the tie rod end nut to Torque to 39-49 Nm (29-36 ft-lbs).
• If the cotter pin hole does not line up, tighten the castle nut slightly more until the hole lines up.
• Do not loosen the nut to align the cotter pin hole.

Step 12: Install the New Cotter Pin

• Slide the new cotter pin through the hole in the tie rod stud.
• Use needle-nose pliers to bend the ends of the cotter pin around the castle nut.
• Make sure the cotter pin cannot fall out.

Step 13: Tighten the Jam Nut

• Use a 17mm open-end wrench to tighten the jam nut against the outer tie rod end.
• Use a 19mm open-end wrench or adjustable wrench to hold the tie rod end steady while tightening.
• Tighten the jam nut firmly to its original position at the paint mark.
• If using torque-capable crowfoot tools, tighten to Torque to 69-98 Nm (51-72 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Reinstall the Front Wheel

• Place the wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts finger-tight.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 15: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your CX-5 to the ground.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 108-147 Nm (80-108 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Turn the steering wheel left and right while parked and listen for binding or clunks.
• Drive slowly around the block only if the steering feels normal.
• Keep speed low and avoid highway driving until the alignment is done.
• Schedule a front wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• After 25-50 miles, recheck the lug nut torque with a 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench.
• If the steering wheel is off-center or the vehicle pulls, stop driving and get the alignment corrected.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$500 per side including alignment

DIY Cost: $35-$120 per tie rod end, plus $90-$150 for alignment

You Save: $125-$250 by doing it yourself!

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

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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