91 Ford Explorer Tie Rod Removal

The Ford Explorer was introduced in 1991 in two variants: a two-wheel-drive and a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The 1991 Explorer was equipped with a 4.0-liter V-6 capable of producing 155-horsepower and 220 foot-pounds of torque. The tie rods on the 1991 Explorer control the toe alignment angle -- the angle at which the front edges of the tires are turned inward or outward. Bad tie rods can make the toe alignment become too far positive or negative, thus causing severe wear on the corners of the tires.

Instructions

1

Loosen the front wheel lug nuts with a tire iron. Raise the front of the Explorer with a jack. Place jack stands beneath the front sub-frame rails, just inward from the lower control arms. Remove the lug nuts, then remove the front wheels completely.

2

Draw a mark where the tie rod sleeve and outer tie rod meet, using a white paint marker or crayon. Loosen the tie rod sleeve nuts and bolts, using a ratchet and socket with an open-end wrench.

3

Remove the castle nut from the outer tie rod stud at the steering knuckle. Use a ratchet and socket to remove the nut. Remove the tie rod stud from the steering knuckle by placing a pry bar between the knuckle and the head of the outer tie rod. Pry on the tie rod while shimmying the knuckle with your free hand. Tap the tie rod stud upward through the knuckle with a hammer, if necessary.

4

Turn the outer tie rod end counterclockwise to remove it from the tie rod sleeve. Use a pair of pliers to turn the head of the tie rod, if needed. Count the threads from the head of the tie rod to the white mark. Make a mark on the new tie rod in the exact position as the old tie rod, using the white paint marker.

5

Turn the new tie rod end into the tie rod sleeve, using a pair of pliers on the tie rod head, if needed. Turn the tie rod until the white mark on the new tie rod lines up with the outer end of the tie rod sleeve. Make minor adjustments to ensure the tie rod stud is facing downward, if necessary.

6

Install the outer tie rod stud through the steering knuckle and attach the castle nut, using your fingers. Spin the castle nut on a few threads, by hand, to ensure proper threading. Tighten the castle nut to between 51 to 73 foot-pounds, with a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and socket. Insert an open-end wrench on the tie rod sleeve bolts individually, then tighten the nuts to between 31 to 42 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and socket.

7

Repeat Steps 2 through 7 to replace the tie rod end on the second side of the Explorer. Double-check the torque on both tie rod castle nuts and the tie rod sleeves prior to installing the wheels.

8

Install the front wheels onto the Explorer and snug the lug nuts with a tire iron. Raise the Explorer off the jack stands, then remove the jack stands from beneath the SUV. Lower the Explorer to the ground and immediately tighten the front wheel lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds, using the 1/2-inch torque wrench and a socket.

9

Take the Explorer to an automotive shop to have the vehicle professionally aligned. Do not rely on the field alignment you performed while installing the tie rod ends. Laser-guided alignment machines in a shop are accurate within 0.01 degrees of angle.