How to Replace Inner Tie Rod 10-12 Ford Escape

Difficulty: Advanced · About 90 min · Ford Escape

Replace the inner tie rod, preserving the original toe setting with a turn count, on a 2010-2012 Ford Escape.

Steps

1. Remove the outer tie rod

   Remove the wheel, apply rust penetrant to rusty fasteners, loosen the 21mm jam nut, remove the 18mm castle nut from the tie rod ball joint with a socket and breaker bar, hammer the ball joint up to free it, then unscrew the tie rod end while counting its turns and write that number down.

2. Remove the inner tie rod

   Hold the inner tie rod with locking pliers and remove the 21mm jam nut, remove the outer boot clamp with needle-nose pliers, remove or move the heat shield aside (using a panel tool for its clips on the passenger side), loosen the inner boot clamp from underneath with a pick, remove the boot, secure the inner tie rod removal tool to the tie rod while holding the steering rack steady with pliers, then loosen and remove the inner tie rod with a ratchet and extension.

3. Install the inner tie rod

   Coat its inner threads with thread locker, thread it in hand-tight, secure the removal tool and torque it to about 66 ft-lb, remove the tool, inspect the boot and clamps, install the boot and secure its clamps, refit the heat shield if applicable, then replace the jam nut.

4. Install the outer tie rod

   Thread it onto the inner tie rod the same number of turns it took to remove, hand-tighten the jam nut, insert the ball joint into the knuckle, install the 18mm castle nut and torque it to about 59 ft-lb, insert a new cotter pin, grease the ball joint with a grease gun through its 7mm fitting, torque the 21mm jam nut to about 46 ft-lb, then refit the wheel and torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to about 100 ft-lb.

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