To replace the outer tie rod on your Silverado 3 it couldnt’ be easier. You will be asked to take off the wheels, loosen the holding nut, remove the outer tie rod as well as carry out a few other steps. You can carry out this tutorial of 10 chapters in 45 minutes. Bring your 21 mm wrench and your 10 mm socket and let’s get started!
45 minutes
10
2
$60
Lift the vehicle
Turn your engine off and set the parking brake.


Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels.

Lift the front of your vehicle. Place the vehicle on the jack stands.




Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!



Visualise
Turn the brake disc inward to make this operation easier. You can now see the outer tie rod. You can now see the outer tie rod.

Set up
The components to be removed are very often seized up, so don’t hesitate to brush and to use penetrating oil to make removal easier.



With a marker, trace a line between the inner tie rod and the outer tie rod. This will be useful later on during its assembly and disassembly.


Remove the outer tie rod
With a 24mm wrench, loosen the locknut on the outer tie rod. Hold the inner tie rod with a 16mm wrench to prevent it from turning.


Using a wire brush, brush the outer tie rod holding nut and spray it with penetrating oil.


Using a 21mm wrench, unscrew the outer tie rod holding nut. Using a ratchet and a 10 mm socket, hold the ball joint to prevent it from turning.


If you do not have a ball joint puller, a tool specifically designed for this task, take a hammer and hit the knuckle. The ball joint should come out of the knuckle.




Unscrew the outer tie rod and remove it.




Measure
Use the markings made with the marker to return the locknut to its original position. Measure the distance between the locknut and the end of the inner tie rod using a caliper. In any case, a wheel alignment check will have to be carried out by a professional soon after having performed this operation.


Remove the locknut
Remove the locknut from the inner tie rod.


Install the locknut
Take the new outer tie rod and unscrew the locknut supplied with it.


Screw the locknut back on until the distance measured with the caliper is reached.



Install the new outer tie rod
Put the outer tie rod back in place until it touches the locknut.


Using a wire brush, scrub the knuckle, then apply silicone grease to the flat part that will be in contact with the sleeve of the outer tie rod. Do not grease the inside of the cone.



Finalise the tightening of the locknut
Put the outer tie rod back in place in the knuckle.

Put the nut supplied with the new part in place and tighten it using 21mm wrench.


Using a ratchet and a 10 mm socket, hold the ball joint to prevent it from turning.

Finish tightening using a torque wrench. Next, add the recommended torque-angle tightening, using the marker technique to confirm the correct angle.



Screw the grease fitting onto the top of the outer tie rod, by hand at first, then using a small ratchet, a small extender and an 8 mm socket to lock it in place.



Finish tightening the locknut using a 24mm wrench by holding the inner tie rod still with the help of a 16 mm wrench to avoid damaging the outer tie rod.

Put the vehicle back on the ground
Then, you will be able to put the wheels back on your vehicle.


Put the car back on the ground and block the wheels properly.


Operation complete.
