Tie rod systems consist of both a inner and outter tie rod and if you%26#039;re talking about one of the outter tie rods then it%26#039;s not too hard.Myself if the other sides outter tie rod end hasn%26#039;t been replaced would for sure replace not just one but both of them.In fact on a vehicle that age I%26#039;d probabbly advice you to also change the inner tie rods too or atleast check them and replace the inner tie rod bushings for sure.
Basically it be best and easiar to just unbolt and pop out the outter tie rod ends and then remove the bolts holding the inner tie rods on , then slide out the whole assemblies.Then place the assembly in a vise and mark the spots where the two outter and inner tie rods bolts meet up, plus then you must unscrew the outter tie rod end from the inner and by twisting the outter tie rod end off.
I really suggest that if you look around you could probably find whole new inner tie rod ends fairly cheap and instead of spending 40 or 50 on lifetime warrantied inner tie rod bushings , you buy replacement arms but again it%26#039;s up to you.
If using a new bushing kit you might find out that the inner tie rod ends may have already had the bushings replaced and if so they will pop out of the end very simply or you%26#039;ll have to lock the inner tie rod into a vise and knock out the bushings.But the lifetime inner bushings are so easy to install that it will seem like a too easy process to snap them in and then attach the new outter tie rod end and reinstall into vehicle.
If you just change the one outter tie rod end that will require a 4 wheel alignment and I believe it will cause some of the steering system to have some play in them, plus it will cause more stress or pressure on the old tie rods that it will loosen up the system. But you may have very solid inner tie rods and bushings and only need to replace the outter tie rods. I%26#039;d for sure have the system checked over by a shop that offers free front end checks and have them show you if any play in the inner rods and if any play in the other outter rod end.
To me to make sure the system isn%26#039;t loose I%26#039;d be changing the two outter tie rod ends and at least the bushings on the inners so then I%26#039;d know the system should be more solid and ready for wheel alignment , plus I%26#039;d have tire pressure checked, tires rotated and have them balanced before getting the wheel alignement done.This way the wheels should roll more evenly and smoothly plus the steering should be a lot more accurate and tight.
Just be sure that you don%26#039;t have any grease points that need grease or faulty balls joints if your going to replace a outter tie rod or any tie rods it%26#039;s best to have a couple of front end shops give a free check as you watch them and then know uofront that no other parts have play or are faulty. It%26#039;s very normal for some ball joints etc to have a tiny bit of play but if upper ball joints are tight+ solid and lower loose a bit it affect the over all steering and wheel alignement slightly too.
Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way you may need to remove wheels or remove the outter tie rod on the vehicle , it%26#039;s best to have a service manual or get it up on stands and take a look to see what would be easiar.I suspect the rods are probably quite rusty and that%26#039;s the main reason why I suggested removing the rods intacked and using a vise to help you remove outter tie rod but take note if really rusty you might need the vise and a blow torche to even get them apart.
Hope that helps and best of luck.By the way some auto parts outlets offer a free service that gives instructions and even print outs of the proceedure.Really I%26#039;am suggesting this tie rod work be checked and maybe done due to the age of your vehicle and it probably needs it too.|||I would suggest you have a pro do it, as the toe-in should be checked after installation.
