HighAndDry

my drivers side tie rod fell off. does this I mean I have to change balljoints or just the tie rod ball stud. debating whether I should replace the tie rod itself because it did get jammed into the ground a bit and may have been bent. how tough a job is this?

jhelrey

I've never replaced a rod but I assume it is like when you adjust it, just unscrew it all of the way. The tie rod end is almost always one piece. Turn it by hand and see if it is actually bent. It may not be.

dr_bowtie

replace the whole thing...inner and outer and the sleeve...you dont need to replace the ball joints unless they are bad...

I usually will replace both sides...my way of thinking if one is that bad the others arent far behind....

alwayshear

I'm not sure I understand exactly what happened. If it is broken then there is no doubt that you should replace the tie-rod. But, it sounds as if the castle nut fell off from the way you are describing the event. If the nut fell off you need to find out why. Did the cotter pin fall out and/or break? How? Did you recently have front end work done? Did you hit a big pot hole or go off-roading?

HighAndDry

I am going to try and get by with tie rod ends. Maybe replace that tie rod.