How to Replace a Tie Rod in a Nissan Maxima


1. Buy tie rod ends that are specific to your Nissan Maxima's model year, as the parts can vary from model year to model year. These come with replacement nuts.
2. Disconnect the cable for the negative post of the battery. Loosen the lug nuts of the front wheels with a lug nut wrench, and jack up your vehicle. Support the vehicle on jack stands and remove the wheels.
3. Loosen the tie rod nut with a wrench and remove it. Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle with a tie rod separator or a ball joint separator.
4. Undo the nut at the top of the tie rod, and separate tie rod from the rack and pinion.
5. Slip in the tie rod into the rack and pinion and tighten the nut. Screw the tie rod end onto the tie rod and slip the tie rod end into the steering knuckle and tighten the nut to 29 foot pounds.
6. Put on the wheels and tighten the lug nuts to 80 foot pounds. Reconnect the battery cable and have your Nissan Maxima aligned.