How to Change Out Your Tie Rod Ends
Tie rods see a lot of wear and tear, especially if you regularly drive your Lexus on rough roads, or you have a problem avoiding curbs. So they shouldn’t be ignored.
For those of you wondering what a tie rod is, you’re probably already a little intimidated by this week’s How-To Tuesday article. But you got this.
A tie rod attaches your Lexus’s steering rack to the steering arm. And on Lexus IS 250 and 350 models between the years 2005 and 2013, there are inner and outer tie rods. While that may sound like some very complicated parts to go futzing around with, the truth of the matter is that this is a moderately easy DIY project, which should only take up an hour or so of your time. And it could end up saving you upwards of $250.
Perhaps the most difficult part of this week’s fix is securing the proper tools. You’ll specifically need a pickle fork or tie rod press, and an inner tie rod removal tool. But if you don’t have these, a trip to your local auto parts store should solve that problem.
Beyond that, there is the matter of lifting the vehicle and removing the tires. Then you just follow the simple steps in the article and corresponding video: removing the boot on the tie rod, unbolting the tie rod end, removing the tie rod from the steering arm and the inner tie rod end, and then reassembling the new tie rods.
I know, it sounds complex. But seriously, you got this. Just follow the article closely, and let us know how it goes!
