Brought to you by 1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. Hi. I'm John from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and the next you need a part for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks. In this video, we show you how to replace an outer tie rod on this 2003 Nissan Altima, and it's the same process on these Altimas from 2002 to 2006, and we show you on the passenger's side; however, it is the same process on the driver's side. The items you'll need for this is a new outer tie rod from 1AAuto.com, a 22-mm or 7/8-inch wrench, a 7-, 19-, and 21-mm sockets and ratchet, tape measure, pliers, and jack and jack stands. Start off by removing the wheel. If you don't have air-powered tools, you're going to want to loosen the lug nuts while the vehicle is on the ground. Then, jack it up and remove them the rest of the way.
First, measure from your inner tie rod to the end of your outer tie rod and remember that length. Next, you want to remove the cotter pin from this castle nut, and ours is in such bad shape that we actually just break it off, but what you should do is just pull it from the other side with a pair of pliers and pull it out. We just don't have that option. Once you have it removed, you want to remove this 19-mm castle nut. Then, using your 22-mm or 7/8-inch wrench, you want to just break this loose. Now, use a hammer and hit the knuckle to break the outer tie rod free, and then, it just lifts up and out, and you can just twist it off. On the right is the old outer tie rod. On the left is a new one from 1A Auto. You can see they're identical, and they'll mount exactly the same. Twist in this grease fitting, and just tighten it up. It's a 7-mm socket to do this. Then, twist your new outer tie rod into place. Then, put it into place in the knuckle, and replace that 19-mm castle nut and just tighten that up.
Now, you want to measure from your inner tie rod to the edge of the outer and make sure it's the right distance, and if it is, then you just want to tighten that nut up. If the distance needs to be adjusted, just turn the inner tie rod to get it correct, and you will want to have, if your vehicle doesn't steer correctly at all, you'll want to have your alignment checked and adjusted after this repair. Push your cotter pin through and just bend the ends of it. Replace your wheel, hubcap, and lug nuts, and tighten the lug nuts preliminarily, lower the vehicle, and tighten them the rest of the way. Then, you want to torque the lug nuts in a crossing pattern to 100 foot-pound. We hope this helps you out. Brought to you by 1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet. Please feel free to call us toll free 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the Internet and in person.