How to Change Tie Rod Ends on a 98 Jeep Cherokee

The 1998 two-wheel-drive base SE model Jeep Cherokee was equipped with a 2.5-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine. A 4.0-liter, in-line six-cylinder engine was available for the upgraded trim levels, as was four-wheel drive. The tie rods on the 1998 Cherokee are responsible for the inward and outward toe of the Jeep. The toe is the angle at which the front and rear faces of the tires are turned inward or outward. Tie rod ends can go bad over time, causing them to need replacement.

Instructions

1

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts on the Jeep with a tire iron. Raise the front of the Jeep with a jack. Set jack stands beneath the Jeep under both right and left sub-frame rails. Lower the Jeep onto the jack. Remove the lug nuts, then remove the front wheels completely.

2

Remove the cotter pin from the tie rod stud on one side of the Jeep. Mark the point on the old tie rod where the tie rod meets the inner tie rod sleeve with a white paint marker or crayon.

3

Remove the castle nut from the outer tie rod stud with a ratchet and socket. Loosen the tie rod sleeve clamp at the end of the inner tie rod. Use a ratchet and socket on the bolt, while using an open-end wrench on the nut.

4

Push the outer tie rod up and out of the steering knuckle, using a hammer to lightly tap it out, if needed. Turn the outer tie rod counterclockwise to remove it from the inner tie rod sleeve. Use the closed end of a wrench as a lever on the outer tie rod stud if necessary. Remove the outer tie rod completely.

5

Count the threads from the outer end of the tie rod to the white mark. Make a mark on the new tie rod in the same position. This will allow you to approximate the correct alignment as closely as possible. Install the new tie rod into the inner tie rod sleeve and turn it clockwise until the white mark lines up with the end of the inner tie rod sleeve. Make sure the outer tie rod stud is pointing downward.

6

Push the outer tie rod into the steering knuckle. Use a hammer to gently tap it into the knuckle, while shimmying the steering knuckle with your free hand. Tighten the inner tie rod end sleeve clamp with an open-end wrench on the nut. Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket to tighten the bolt and nut to 20 foot-pounds.

7

Install the castle nut onto the new tie rod stud, and tighten the nut to 57 foot-pounds. Insert a new cotter pin into the tie rod stud and bend it with a pair of pliers to lock the nut in place. If necessary, tighten the castle nut to the next hole for the cotter pin -- don't loosen it.

8

Repeat Steps 2 through 7 to complete the outer tie rod replacement on the second side of the Cherokee. Install the front wheels and snug the lug nuts with a tire iron. Raise the Jeep off of the jack stands, then remove the jack stands from beneath the vehicle. Lower the Jeep to the ground, and torque the lug nuts to 110 foot-pounds with the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and a socket.

9

Take the Jeep to a professional shop to have the entire alignment checked and adjusted. Do not assume the approximate alignment you did is sufficient. Shops have laser guided alignment machines which can align your Jeep to within 0.01 degree of angle.