I think I messed up. Tie rod replacement. I could use advice

[Brian1967]

I am so frustrated. My mechanic told me he was a week or so out. Last time I went to him he told me my outer or drivers side tie rod was bad and to be careful driving. I have had the part for a month. He said it was an easy job.

Today I decided to do it myself. I did change it out and it was pretty easy. I took it for at test drive and something's not right. The tires squeal and are pointed out. I think I threw the alignment way out. I am concerned it may be something else.
I am wondering if its safe to drive to a shop like this.

Thanks for listening and I am hoping for some help.

[sargentrs]

Yeah, sounds like you screwed it too far in. Do you still have your old one? If so, look carefully at the threads. You should be able to see "clean" threads that show how far it was screwed into the adjusting sleeve. Count the number of threads from the knuckle to where the clean threads start. Then screw the tie rod in/out to the same thread count. If you don't have the old one, use a tape measure, turn your wheels straight forward, and measure St the center of tread front and rear and adjust till you get it the same, or pretty darn close. That'll put you in a safe enough range to get it to the shop for a good alignment.

[towtruckerfour]

I did what sargentrs did and it has worked just fine on my 4x4.