What are the steps for disassembling and assembling the steering tie rod assembly?

The disassembly and assembly steps for the steering tie rod assembly are as follows—here’s a detailed illustrated guide:

Disassembly steps

1. Preparation work ：

   • Engage the parking brake and chock the drive wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving.

   • Use a jack to lift the vehicle until the steering axle wheels are off the ground. A scissor jack with a mechanical lock is preferred, as it can replace safety stands. If you’re using a different type of jack, be sure to support the vehicle with safety stands.

   • Never work under a vehicle supported solely by a jack. 。

2. Remove the dust cover ：

   • To protect the internal mechanisms from moisture, a dust cover is typically fitted onto the tie rod. Use pliers and a flathead screwdriver to gently disconnect the dust cover from the steering gear.

3. Separation and Connection Screw ：

   • Using a size 16 wrench, remove the connecting screw between the tie rod and the steering knuckle—feel free to use a hammer for assistance if needed—to ensure smooth removal.

4. Remove the ball joint ：

   • The ball joint connection may feature a groove or a round design, and should be operated using an adjustable wrench or pipe wrench to ensure smooth separation of the tie rod after the ball joint is removed.

5. Disassembling the steering knuckle ：

   • Release the brake adjuster, ensuring the brake shoes are in the released position and away from the brake drum.

   • Remove the wheel cover from the wheel hub assembly, then take off the cotter pin, nut, washer, and outer bearing cone assembly (for conventional hubs). For pre-adjusted hub assemblies, follow the OEM instructions to remove the wheel.