1988 Mercury Cougar tie rod ends

Id take it in and have it done as you will need an alignment done.

You could replace it yourself, you have to mark the tie rods and set them the same length. Next remove the cotter pins on the castle nuts, then remove the nuts. Next use a tie rod separator or pickle fork to separate the tie rod from the knuckle. Next clean the parts and put on new ones. Take in for alignment after everything is torqued to specs.