How To Replace Steering Tie Rod 03-07 Cadillac CTS

Difficulty: Advanced · About 50 min · Cadillac Cts

Replace the steering tie rod, preserving the original toe setting with a measurement, on a 2003-2007 Cadillac CTS.

Steps

1. Check whether the tie rod actually needs replacing

   Jack up the front wheel, grip the tire at the sides and rock it back and forth; play beyond the steering rack's own movement points to a worn tie rod.

2. Remove the wheel

   Loosen the lug nuts with the car on the ground, then raise and support it and take the wheel off the rest of the way.

3. Measure the old tie rod

   From a fixed point on the rack (like the end of the boot) to the middle of the tie rod, measure a few times to be sure, so the new one can be set to the same length.

4. Remove the old tie rod

   Hold it with a wrench while loosening its lock nut about a quarter turn with an adjustable wrench, remove the 18mm bolt securing the stud, drive a tie rod fork between the rod and knuckle with a hammer to separate them, then turn the tie rod clockwise to unscrew it from the rack.

5. Set the new tie rod to length

   Remove the bolt from the new tie rod, thread it onto the rack, then measure it against your earlier reading (taking a couple of checks), being careful not to twist the rack's own shaft, which would throw off the alignment.

6. Secure the new tie rod

   Seat it in the knuckle and start the bolt, hold the tie rod's stud with an 8mm wrench while tightening the 18mm lock nut, give it an extra tug with a second wrench for good measure, torque it to about 65 ft-lb, then tighten the inner locking nut against the outer tie rod.

7. Reinstall the wheel

   Point the wheels straight, refit the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts, lower the car, then torque them to about 90-95 ft-lb in a star pattern.

Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.