2017–2023 GMC Acadia
By Ray Delgado ✓ Certified Mechanic · Published Sep 21, 2026 · Updated Oct 22, 2026
Save $356 by doing it yourself! Shop cost: $400
Quick answer: Replace Tie Rod End on a 2017–2023 GMC Acadia is rated Advanced and takes about 2-3 hours. You'll need 14 tools for this job, and parts cost about $44. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.
| Part Name | Part Number | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer Tie Rod | 87853957 | $44.24 | |
| Inner Tie Rod Optional | 87853961 | $31.05 | |
| Cotter pin (new) | — | — |
About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.
💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping
Follow these steps carefully
The outer tie rod sets front toe. Confirm it's worn: rock the tire at 3 and 9 o'clock for play or a clunk, a torn boot, or feathered inner edges. Order for your exact year and trim.
Raise the Acadia onto stands and remove the wheel. Before loosening anything, count the threads between the jam nut and the end, mark the jam nut, and count the exact turns as you unscrew the end — your toe reference for the alignment-shop drive.
Count those turns twice — once coming off, once going on. I've seen a guy guess ‘about 12' and drive in with the toe so far out the car crabbed down the street.
Break the jam nut loose while holding the inner rod steady — twisting it ruins your thread-count reference. Remove the cotter pin and castle nut. Use a tie-rod puller, not a pickle fork, which tears boots and damages the knuckle.
I know if the taper won't budge, a sharp rap on the knuckle ear beside the stud — never on the stud itself — breaks it free. The shock, not the force, does the work.
Unscrew the old end, counting every turn, and compare it to the new part — taper diameter, thread direction, stud length, and overall length must match. Thread the new end on for the same turns, stopping at your paint mark.
Insert the stud into the knuckle and torque the nut to spec — under-torqued, it loosens and ovals out the bore. Install a new cotter pin; never reuse a stretched pin. Hold the end steady and tighten the jam nut firmly.
Reinstall the wheel, torque the lugs in a star pattern, and lower the Acadia. Get a toe alignment right away and mention the new tie rod — skipping it scrubs the front tires bald on the inner edges within a few thousand miles.
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
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