Nissan Altima Outer Tie Rod End Replacement (2013-2018) Step by Step
About this video
Steering feels loose, the car wanders in the lane, or the inside edge of a front tire is worn down to the cords? A bad outer tie rod end is a common cause. An ASE certified mechanic shows how to check for play, remove the old tie rod end, and install the new one with the toe setting as close as possible before alignment.
SAFETY FIRST
Steering is a safety system. Support the car on jack stands on level concrete, never on a jack alone. Torque the tie rod nut and the jam nut to spec, verify the cotter pin or lock nut is installed where required, and get a proper alignment before any real driving.
WHAT WE COVER
How to check an outer tie rod end for play, at the wheel and by hand
Telling an outer tie rod apart from an inner tie rod, a wheel bearing, or a worn rack
Marking and counting threads so your toe setting lands close to where it started
Loosening the jam nut and breaking the taper loose with a puller or the correct method
Removing the old tie rod end and threading the new one on to the same depth
Torquing the castle nut and installing the cotter pin correctly
Tightening the jam nut and checking the boot and steering travel
Why an alignment is required afterward and what happens if you skip it
Resetting the steering angle sensor after alignment on cars that need it
SYMPTOMS YOU MAY NOTICE
Loose, vague, or wandering steering that needs constant correction
Clunk or knock from the front when turning or going over bumps
Steering wheel off center after hitting a pothole or curb
Shimmy or vibration in the steering wheel at speed
Rapid wear on the inside or outside edge of a front tire
Squeaking from the front end when turning slowly
Play you can feel when a helper rocks the steering wheel with the car lifted
RELATED WARNINGS AND CODES
Tie rod wear does not set engine codes. After the alignment, cars with stability control may need a steering angle sensor reset, and if that step is skipped you can end up with a steering angle code such as C1143 or C1144 along with VDC, ABS, and slip lights on the dash.
DOES THIS APPLY TO MY CAR
Recorded on a 2018 Nissan Altima, fifth generation L33, sold 2013-2018 in the US with the facelift covering 2016-2018. It applies to 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Altima 2.5 and 3.5 models. The Altima is sold as the Nissan Teana in other markets, and the same procedure applies to the Nissan Maxima, Murano, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, Quest, Versa, and Infiniti QX60. Outer tie rod ends work the same on virtually every vehicle, so this also carries over to Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevy, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
Popular searches this video answers: outer tie rod replacement, bad tie rod symptoms, how to check tie rod play, steering wheel loose, inner tire wear cause, tie rod end removal without a puller, do I need an alignment after tie rod, Nissan Altima tie rod.
DISCLAIMER: This video and description are provided for educational purposes only. Vehicle repair carries risk of injury and property damage. You are responsible for your own safety and for any work performed on your vehicle.
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