hope this isnt a stupid question but what is the best and easiest way to check if tierods are bad.thanks Ray ________ Submissive blowjob
One way to do it is to grab a front wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock and attempt to push/pull in and out and check for excessive play. When I have had bad ones, it was obvious, even with the car on the ground. If it's questionable, put the front end on stands and try it. When you do this, you can also perform a rough check on your ball joints by doing the push/pull thing with your hands at 6 and 12 o'clock.
Hey Cody, unless you know for a fact that car has had all of the proper service done to it, and if those are original equipment tie rods, after 104k you can be reasonably sure they need replacement. Fairly cheap, easy to do and doesn't take long. Just a suggestion but I would buy the inner and outer ends PLUS new adjuster sleeves. Also, if you get the front end up on stands supporting the frame, take the front edge of both tires in your hands, push them away from each other, then pull them front edges toward each other while you are watching the idler arm. If you see it moving up and down, it is also likely worn. The drag link (connects the inner tie rod ends to the pitman arm and the idler arm) is a wear part. It may need replacement also. Bad part is if these joints are bad, it is impossible to get a true alignment in the front end. Even worn ball joints will mess up an alignment though the front end guy should see they are bad and NOT try to do the alignment. You can see just how easily this kind of thing snowballs into a complete front end rebuild. It's also called "project-creep". ou: :laugh: Hope this helps!
With the wieght off the front end grab a pair of Channel locks and put the squeeze on them . If there is play you'll want to change them . p :TU:
