rubber bushin on tie rod steering thing

[AmericasChoice]

if u take ur wheel off the is a rubber thing around the steering arm thing. on all other cars ther is usually a grease fitting for it. but the alero doesnt have one and the rubber is cracked and coming out on mine. how do u replace it and what purpose do is it serve?

[Johnnyangel]

that rubber is just a boot to keep dirt out. Aleros have sealed tie rod ends, you can't lube them. You have to replace them when they wear out.

[AmericasChoice]

how hard is it to do urself? And how much does the part cost? Do u need an alignment afterwards.

[Johnnyangel]

First, you'd remove the wheel on the offending side. Then you'd undo the nut on the bottom of the tie rod end with an impact wrench, putting downward pressure on the top of the tie rod end with a pry bar braced on the chassis- this IS necessary, since the joint inside will just spin otherwise- and pop it up out of the hub knuckle. Then you'd back off the retaining nut about 1/4 turn- NO MORE, or you'll need an alignment afterwards- and you can unscrew the tie rod end off the end of the steering rack. Move the retaining nut up 1/4 turn to its original position, and install the new tie rod end until it is snug against the retaining nut. Tighten them to each other, and reinstall it to the knuckle. The new one should come with a new nut for this purpose, and depending on the brand maybe a castle nut and pin. After ou put the wheel back on, test drive- if it pulls to the side opposite the one you replaced the tie rod end on, you need to screw it on farther. If it pulls to the same side, you need to back it off some.

If you're at all uncomfortable with this project, GO TO A PRO!