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### Tie Rod Ends

#### REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

##### 1993-94 Sentra and Maxima

Fig. 1: This style of tie rod is common to all the vehicles covered in this section

1. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it on jackstands. Remove the wheel.
2. Remove the cotter pin and the tie rod ball joint stud nut. Note the position of the steering linkage.
3. Loosen the tie rod-to-steering gear locknut.
4. Using a suitable ball joint separator tool remove the tie rod ball joint from the steering knuckle.
5. Loosen the locknut and remove the tie rod end from the tie rod, counting the number of complete turns it takes to completely free it.

   To install:

6. Install the new tie rod end, turning it in exactly as far as you screwed out the old one. Make sure it is correctly positioned in relationship to the steering linkage.
7. Fit the ball joint and nut, tighten them and install a new cotter pin. Torque the ball joint stud nut to specifications. Check front end alignment.
8. The outer tie rod end-to-steering knuckle torque specification is 22-29 ft. lbs. (29-39 Nm.).

   NOTE: Always replace the cotter pins and if necessary replace the retaining nut.

9. Check and adjust the front end alignment as necessary.

##### 1995-97 Sentra and 200SX

1. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it on jackstands. Remove the wheel.
2. Remove the cotter pin and the tie rod ball joint stud nut. Note the position of the steering linkage.
3. Using a suitable ball joint separator tool, remove the tie rod ball joint from the steering knuckle.
4. Loosen the locknut and remove the tie rod end from the tie rod. Count the number of complete turns it takes to completely remove it.

   To install:

5. Install the new tie rod end, turning it in exactly as many turns as it was to remove the old one. Make sure it is correctly positioned in relationship to the steering linkage.
6. Connect the outer tie rod end-to-steering knuckle and install the castle nut. Torque the nut to 22-29 ft. lbs. (29-39 Nm.).
7. Install a new cotter pin to the castle nut.
8. Tighten the tie rod end locking nut to 27-34 ft. lbs. (37-46 Nm).
9. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
10. Lower the vehicle and perform a front end alignment.

##### 240SX, 300ZX and Altima

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle. Remove the wheel(s).
2. Remove the cotter pin and the tie rod ball joint stud nut. Note the position of the steering linkage.
3. Loosen the tie rod-to-steering gear locknut.
4. Using a suitable ball joint separator tool, remove the tie rod ball joint from the steering knuckle.
5. Loosen the locknut and remove the tie rod end from the inner tie rod, counting the number of complete turns it takes to completely free it.

   To install:

6. Thread the new tie rod end onto the inner tie rod, turning it in the exact number of turns as removal. Make sure it is correctly positioned in relationship to the steering linkage.
7. Connect the tie rod end to the knuckle assembly and torque the retaining nut to 22-29 ft. lbs. (29-39 Nm). Install a new cotter pin.
8. Install the wheel(s) and lower the vehicle.
9. Check front end alignment.
10. Once adjustment is complete, tighten tie rod locknut to 58-72 ft. lbs. (78-98 Nm).

##### 1995-97 Maxima

1. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it on jackstands. Remove the wheel.
2. Remove the cotter pin and the tie rod ball joint stud nut. Note the position of the steering linkage.
3. Using a suitable ball joint separator tool, remove the tie rod ball joint from the steering knuckle.
4. Loosen the locknut and remove the tie rod end from the tie rod. Count the number of complete turns it takes to completely remove it.

   To install:

5. Install the new tie rod end, turning it in exactly as many turns as it was to remove the old one. Make sure it is correctly positioned in relationship to the steering linkage.
6. Connect the outer tie rod end-to-steering knuckle and install the castle nut. Torque the nut to 46-54 ft. lbs. (63-73 Nm.).
7. Install a new cotter pin to the castle nut.
8. Tighten the tie rod end locking nut to 58-72 ft. lbs. (78-98 Nm).
9. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
10. Lower the vehicle and perform a front end alignment.

##### Sentra and 200SX

1. Raise and support the car on jackstands.
2. Remove the front wheels.
3. Remove the both tie rod ends from the steering knuckles.
4. Matchmark the steering column shaft to the lower joint and remove the pinch bolt from the joint.
5. Loosen and remove the steering gear mounting bolts.
6. Remove the mounting clamps from the steering gear and remove the steering gear by sliding it off the steering shaft.
7. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.

   To install:

8. Install the steering gear assembly to the vehicle. Be sure to align the matchmarks of the rack with the marks on the steering shaft.
9. Install the steering gear mounting clamps and tighten the bolts to 58 ft. lbs. (78 Nm).
10. Install the lower joint-to-steering column pinch bolt and tighten to 22 ft. lbs. (29 Nm).
11. Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle and install castle nut. Torque the nut to 29 ft. lbs. (39 Nm) and install a new cotter pin.

    NOTE: If installing a new rack and pinion assembly, transfer the lower steering joint to the new rack and pinion prior to installation. When installing the lower steering joint to the steering gear, make sure that the wheels are aligned with the vehicle (straight ahead position). Turn the steering gear all the way to the lock position on one side. Now, count the number of turns it takes to get to the opposite side lock position. Turn the steering gear 1⁄2 the number of turns towards the original starting position. The steering rack should now be centered. When connecting the steering joint to the steering column shaft, be sure to align the matchmarks made during disassembly.

12. Install the front wheels, remove the jackstands, and lower the vehicle.
13. Check the vehicle's alignment.

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