By experience, unscrew the nut on the center drag link until off, you may want to mark on the center link where the nut was (if not I hope you have access to an alignment rack); secondly remove cotter pin from top of bolt on the head of the tie rod and remove nut. With the next part you may want use a pry bar or hammer to get the head out. I caution using the hammer as the bolt head may mushroom an not allow you to remove the bolt.
Yes, replace tie rod and have the car realigned.
The cost to replace a front strut rod bushing on a 1998 Nissan Maxima is between $50 and $150, for a person who does it on their own. The cost varies based on the part brand or kit bought.
There should be a long metal rod under the hood that goes inside a hole in the back bumper that you crank to lower the tire.
The ball joint should be permanently in the tie rod end. If it is bad, you have to replace the entire tie rod end.
I bought one of those jack rods for my 1998 Ford Expedition XLT at the local dealer for under $20.00.
My manual doesn't cover this, the best they have is the steering gear removal. Do I actually have to remove this or can I replace the bad rod through the engine compartment, by removing the air box to get some room.
Out of balance tire, bad tie rod, bad shock/strut, or bad alignment are a few options
A bad engine rod is an engine rod that has misbeheaved.
Rod Morrison died in 1998.
If you are talking about the crankshaft rod bearings, you can just remove the oil pan, and replace each crank bearing one at a time without actually removing the pistons. But to replace the piston pin rod bearings the pistons will have to be removed. IMO, if any of these bearings are worn bad enough to need replacing, then the engine needs a complete overhaul.
When you find a new rod to replace the broken one, simply click on the broken one and the new one will replace it. (To get the fuel rod , see the related question.)
The average cost to replace a tie rod is approximately $200. You can save about $125 of labor by replacing the tie rod your self.