How to Replace Outer Tie Rods on 1998 F-150 4x4s

The conventional style (also called parallelogram style) steering system used in the 1998 Ford F-150 4x4 pick-up truck is connected to the steering arm of the steering knuckle by the outer tie rod ends. In this system, the movement of the steering input by the driver is transferred from the steering gear to the wheels through linkage that also includes a center link, pitman arm, idler arm and inner tie rods. According to industry standards, if perceptible movement is detected when reasonable hand force is used to compress the tie rod, the tie rods should be replaced.

Instructions

1

Apply the parking brake securely. Place wheel chocks firmly against the front and rear of the rear tire, on the opposite side of the wheel you will be removing. Loosen the lug nuts using a lug wrench. Lift the front wheel off the ground, using a floor jack positioned under the lower control arm. Remove the wheel, using a lug wrench, and store the wheel and lug nuts out of the work area.

2

Locate the outer tie rod attached to the steering knuckle near the front of the truck. Measure the length from the inner tie rod jamb nut to the outer edge of the outer tie rod end, using a tape measure.

3

Loosen the jamb nut for the outer tie rod end, using a 22-mm wrench. Remove the cotter pin from the castellated nut that attaches the tie rod to the steering knuckle, using a pair of wire cutters to unfold the pin, then pull the pin from the nut. Remove the castellated nut, using a 19-mm wrench.

4

Insert the tie rod tool between the tie rod and the steering knuckle. Remove the tie rod from the steering knuckle by hitting the end of the tool with a hammer to force it between the tie rod and knuckle until it pops loose.

5

Unscrew the tie rod from the adjuster. Count the number of turns it takes to completely remove the old tie rod from the adjuster. Screw the new tie rod end into the adjuster the same number of turns, then verify it is the same length as the original, using the tape measure.

6

Insert the stud of the new tie rod into the steering knuckle and start the castellated nut, by hand -- the hole in the steering knuckle is tapered to fit the taper of the tie rod, so it can only be installed in one direction; the tie rod on the F-150 4x4 is installed through the bottom of the knuckle.

7

Torque the castellated nut to between 56 and 75 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench. Insert a new cotter pin in the castellated nut and bend tits ends to prevent if from falling out.

8

Reinstall the wheel and lug nuts, by hand. Raise the truck off the jack stand and remove the stand. Lower the jack until the wheel just touches the ground and torque the lug nuts to between 85 and 105 foot-pounds.

9

Lower the truck to the ground. Remove the jack and wheel chocks. Have the front end realigned at an auto shop equipped to perform wheel alignments.