Contents: Removal ⇓ Installation ⇓
Removal
Mark the positions of the front wheels so that the balanced wheels can be installed in their original positions. With the vehicle on the ground, loosen the wheel nuts. Raise and support the vehicle from the front and remove the front wheels.
Loosen the lock nut (1) while holding the steering rod by the flats with an open-end wrench.
Note: The left tie rod has a left-hand thread, the right tie rod has a right-hand thread.
Ford Fiesta/Mazda 121: Loosen the self-locking nut (3) while holding the hinge pin with an Allen key (2).
Ford KA: Unscrew the crown nut (D) by removing the cotter pin (E) from the tie rod tip joint (A) on the knuckle lever (F). (B-lock nut; C - steering rod).
Press the steering rod joint out of the steering knuckle using a suitable puller (4).
Caution: After removing the steering tie rod joint from the steering knuckle, wrap it with rags to protect it from damage.
Twist the hinge (tip) steering rod with steering rod.
Note: Count the number of turns and tighten the tip exactly the same way when installing. Remember that the left steering rod has a left-hand thread, and the right rod has a right-hand thread.
Installation
Screw the hinge (tip) steering rod to the marked number of turns and secure it with a lock nut. Just tighten the lock nut, but do not tighten it yet.
Note: If you remove both ends (joints), do not mix them up. The left end has the letter L stamped at the bottom, and the right end has the letter R stamped at the bottom.
Insert the ball joint pin into the steering knuckle.
Ford Fiesta/Mazda 121: Screw a new self-locking nut onto the joint pin, holding the pin with an Allen key. Tighten the nut to 35 Nm.
Ford CA: Tighten the crown nut to a torque of 25 Nm and secure with a new cotter pin. If the cotter pin does not pass through the hole, then do not loosen the nut, but hold it out so that the cotter pin can enter.
Install the front wheels according to the marks made earlier. Before doing this, lubricate the centering seat for the wheel hub with consistent grease. Do not lubricate the threads of the wheel studs. Tighten the wheel nuts. Lower the car and tighten the wheel nuts crosswise to a torque of 40 Nm.
Rock the car a little to settle the suspension.
Tighten the tie rod end lock nut to 65 Nm.
Check the front wheel alignment (in the workshop).