How to diagnose bad tie rod ends - inner and outer?

mondonalds · 08-04-05, 09:26 PM

How do I diagnose my inner and outer tie rod ends? How do you tell if they are "bad" and need replacing?

whats77inaname · 08-05-05, 08:21 AM

Dunno about the inner, but the outer is fairly simple. Put the car up on jack stands, then grab the tire in the 9 and 3 position. Try to pull and push it away/towards you. Exert a moderate amount of force doing so. If there is "play" in the tire, and it is easily "wobbled" the outer tie rod is bad.

stir_fry_boy · 08-07-05, 02:34 AM

If the inner tie rod end is bad it will have play between the inner tie rod and the outer tie rod end (just how they are designed), and you can feel the play in it if you get it up on a hoist and move the tire back and forth while another person feels the joint between the inner and outer tie rod end. If it is the outer tie rod end, you will have play between the very end of the outer tie rod end (the side closest to the wheel). I had an inner tie rod end replaced and it had play between the inner and outer tie rod end. They replaced the inner tie rod end (takes a special tool to hold the rack and pinion) and there was no more play in it.

whats77inaname · 08-07-05, 01:37 PM

When you replace EITHER of these, make sure you follow the directions that come with the kits and mark where the tie rods were positioned before. And GET AN ALIGNMENT when you replace either.