We hang up and remove the wheel from the side of the tip being replaced. We securely fix the car on the factory-made stand. We turn the steering wheel all the way to the side opposite to the tip being removed.
We show the replacement of the left steering rod end, and we replace the right steering rod end in the same way.
Using a 22 mm wrench, loosen the lock nut on the steering rod end, holding the end from turning with a 19 mm wrench.
Using a socket wrench or a 19 mm head, unscrew the nut securing the ball joint pin to the steering knuckle arm.
Using a puller, press out the ball joint pin of the tip from the eye of the steering knuckle lever. If there is no puller, slightly press the ball joint pin with an adjustable stop.
By striking the lever eye with a hammer..
…we press the ball joint pin out of it.
We move the tip with the rod assembly away from the steering knuckle.
If the ball joint boot is damaged and the joint itself is in satisfactory condition (no play or jamming), then you can replace only the boot. To do this, remove its retaining ring and remove the boot.
We check the condition of the hinge once again, moving its pin in different directions. If necessary, we put plastic grease into the hinge and install a new dust cover.
If the tip hinge is out of order, the tip should be replaced.
Before removing the tip, mark its position relative to the tie rod with a marker or count the number of turns when unscrewing the tip. This is necessary so that when installing the tip, the length of the steering rod assembly with the tip remains the same, which will allow you to approximately maintain the wheel toe-in angle.
Turning the tip counterclockwise, we unscrew it from the steering rod.
The left and right steering rod ends are not interchangeable.
The left tie rod end lever is marked "L" and the right tie rod end lever is marked "R".
We install the steering rod end in the reverse order.
Screw the tip onto the rod to the marked position or count the number of turns determined when removing the tip. Tighten the lock nut of the tip to the prescribed torque (see Appendices).
We replace the self-locking nut of the ball joint pin with a new one and tighten it to the prescribed torque (see Appendices).
After installing the steering rod end, it is necessary to check and, if necessary, adjust the wheel alignment on a special stand at a service station.
Before adjusting the wheel alignment angles, it is necessary to remove the clamp securing the steering gear boot to the steering rod.
If the tie rod end lock nut is loose..
…we use a 13 mm wrench to turn the steering rod by the hexagon, adjusting the wheel alignment angle.
The lengths of both steering rods assembled with the ends must be the same.
After adjustment, tighten the tie rod end lock nut.
(The article is reprinted from the website ChevyMan)