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Toyota 5L-E engine factory workshop and repair manual

- Summary of what you will do
- Replace the worn outer tie rod end on the front steering assembly so steering play, pulling, or uneven tire wear is corrected. Replacement requires support of the vehicle, removal of the wheel, separating the ball-stud from the steering knuckle, unthreading the tie rod end from the inner tie rod, installing a new tie rod end to the same effective length, torquing fasteners to spec, and getting a wheel alignment.

- Safety and prerequisites
- Work on a flat level surface and use wheel chocks on the rear wheels.
- Never rely on a jack alone — always use properly rated jack stands.
- Wear safety glasses and gloves; be prepared for rusted components and some force.
- After replacement, a professional wheel alignment is required (toe adjustment).

- Tools you need (detailed description and how to use each)
- Floor jack (2-ton or greater)
- Lifts the vehicle. Position under the vehicle jacking point, pump the handle to raise. Use to get wheel off ground only; lower into place gently onto jack stands before working.
- Jack stands (pair, rated for vehicle weight)
- Support the vehicle. After jacking, place stands under solid pinch welds or recommended support points and lower the vehicle onto them. Confirm stability before getting under the vehicle.
- Wheel chocks
- Prevent vehicle roll. Place behind rear wheels opposite side you lift.
- Lug wrench or breaker bar with appropriate socket (usually 17–22 mm depending on model)
- Break lug nuts loose while car is on ground; use leverage with breaker bar for stuck nuts. Save final tightening for torque wrench.
- Socket set and ratchet (metric)
- Remove wheel and fasteners. Use the correct socket size to avoid rounding nuts.
- Torque wrench (in-lb/ft-lb) — required
- Tighten wheel lugs and steering fasteners to correct torque. Set to specified torque and apply slow steady force until it clicks.
- Open-end or box wrenches (metric) — including one to hold inner tie rod or jam nut
- Hold the tie rod or jam nut while you unthread the outer tie rod end; use the right size to avoid rounding.
- Adjustable wrench (crescent) — optional backup
- Useful if you don’t have the exact wrench; use carefully to avoid damage.
- Tie rod end puller / ball joint separator (pickle fork or two-arm puller)
- Separates the ball stud from the steering knuckle. A dedicated puller (two-arm) is cleaner; pickle fork works but can damage rubber boot so use carefully.
- Hammer
- Helps with persuading stuck parts or tapping the separator. Use carefully.
- Pen, tape measure or calipers and marker
- Measure or mark number of turns or distance so the new tie rod sits at the same length (helps avoid large alignment changes before professional alignment).
- Penetrating oil (e.g., PB Blaster)
- Spray on corroded nuts to ease removal.
- Pliers (needle-nose / slip-joint)
- Remove and install cotter pin, hold parts.
- New cotter pin(s)
- Replace any cotter pin removed from castle nut — they are single-use safety parts.
- Wire brush
- Clean rust/debris off threads and mating surfaces.
- Grease gun (if new tie rod has a grease zerk) or grease (if applicable)
- Lubricate a greasable tie rod end after install.
- Pickle-fork alternative tools (if available): press-style ball joint separator or two-arm puller
- Less destructive and recommended over a pickle fork because they don’t tear boot surfaces.
- Flashlight or inspection light
- Improve visibility in tight spaces.
- Replacement tie rod end (correct part for your exact Toyota model and side)
- See "Replacement parts" below.
- Extra: inner tie rod tool (only if replacing inner tie rod)
- Specialized socket to remove inner tie rod; required only if inner is being replaced.

- Why some tools are required / extra tool notes
- Jack stands and torque wrench are required for safety and correct torque — cannot skip.
- Tie rod puller or separator is required to separate ball stud safely; pickle fork can be used but may damage boot and can require replacing the joint if boot gets torn.
- Measuring device and marker are required to keep the steering geometry close enough to start the car and drive to an alignment shop.
- Grease gun only needed if new tie rod end is greasable; sealed units require no greasing.
- Inner tie rod removal requires a special inner tie rod tool; you’ll only need this if diagnosing or replacing the inner.

- Replacement parts and why they might be needed
- Outer tie rod end (OE or reputable aftermarket equivalent)
- Replaces the worn ball joint that connects the steering linkage to the steering knuckle. Needed when there is play, torn boot, steering looseness, or visible wear.
- New cotter pin (always replace)
- Safety device that prevents castle nut losing engagement; single-use.
- New jam/lock nut (optional but recommended if rusted or damaged)
- Locks the tie rod adjustment; replace if threads are damaged or corroded.
- Inner tie rod (only if worn)
- Replace if inner tie rod has play or damage; inner tie rods often last longer but should be checked.
- Grease (if greasable joint) or sealed unit if preferred
- Some tie rod ends are greasable; others are sealed. Match the part you buy.
- Wheel alignment service (required)
- Toe and possibly camber/caster must be set. Skipping alignment causes uneven tire wear and poor handling.

- How to identify that a tie rod end needs replacement
- Steering has excessive free play or wander.
- Front end clunks over bumps.
- Uneven or rapid tire wear on front tires.
- Visual: torn rubber boot, heavy rust, excessive play when you push/pull on the wheel at 3 and 9 o’clock with the car lifted.
- Movement in the tie rod end ball stud when prying with a pry bar.

- Step-by-step procedure (bulleted actions)
- Prepare: chock rear wheels, loosen front wheel lug nuts slightly while car is on ground.
- Lift: jack vehicle at correct front jacking point, raise and place on jack stands; confirm secure.
- Remove wheel: fully remove lug nuts and wheel.
- Inspect and mark: count or mark number of exposed threaded turns between jam nut and tie rod end, or measure distance from a fixed point on inner tie rod to the end of the outer tie rod. Mark orientation so replacement matches length.
- Loosen jam nut: use appropriate wrench to break the jam nut free but do not fully remove it unless needed.
- Remove cotter pin and castle nut: use pliers to straighten/remove cotter pin, then socket/wrench to remove the castle nut from the ball stud.
- Separate ball stud from knuckle: use a two-arm separator or tie rod end puller and tighten to separate; if using a pickle fork, strike with hammer until separated (note: pickle fork can damage boot).
- Unthread tie rod end: hold inner tie rod with wrench and unthread outer tie rod end. Count turns as you unthread so you can match the length on the new part.
- Clean threads: wire brush and penetrating oil on inner tie rod threads if needed.
- Install new tie rod end: thread new outer tie rod end onto inner tie rod the same number of turns or to the same measured length as before. Confirm alignment of castle nut with hole for cotter pin — you may need to slightly tighten to align.
- Torque castle nut to manufacturer spec (use the torque wrench). If you don’t have the exact spec, tighten snugly and ensure cotter pin alignment — however, a torque wrench and exact spec are strongly recommended.
- Insert new cotter pin: bend ends properly to secure.
- Tighten jam nut against the new tie rod end to lock it in position (torque if spec available).
- Grease if applicable: add grease through zerk fitting until fresh grease appears at boot or per part instructions.
- Reinstall wheel: put wheel back on, hand-tighten lug nuts.
- Lower vehicle: remove jack stands and lower vehicle with the jack.
- Torque lug nuts to correct specification with torque wrench.
- Repeat on other side if replacing both sides.

- Post-installation and required follow-up
- Get a professional front-end alignment immediately after replacement. Even matching turns is not precise — alignment shop will set toe (and camber/caster if adjustable).
- Test drive carefully at low speed to ensure steering feels normal and there are no unusual noises.
- Re-check cotter pins and jam nuts after a short drive.

- Common pitfalls and tips
- Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
- Preserve thread length/turn count to avoid having to make large steering corrections before an alignment.
- Do not reuse cotter pins.
- If the castle nut has no cotter pin hole (some aftermarket use self-locking nuts), follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- If the ball joint boot is torn from using a pickle fork on the inner joint, you may need to buy a new tie rod end anyway — use a puller to avoid this.
- If inner tie rod has play, replace inner as well; inner replacement can be more complex and may require specialty tools.

- Final words (short)
- Replace the outer tie rod end with the correct part for your Toyota model, use jack stands and a torque wrench, and get a professional alignment afterward to ensure safe, predictable steering.
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