Tips on diagnosing tie-rod failure
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 734
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From: Austin TX
Tips on diagnosing tie-rod failure
Recently my car's handling has gotten incredibly bad. She's very twitchy on the roads, and even when changing lanes it feels like it wants to follow the grooves.
It's on completely base suspension w/ 110K on it so obviously the shocks are in poor health.
I need to make sure I don't also need to replace tie rods while I'm into the suspension. What's a good way to tell if the tie rods are still good?
It's on completely base suspension w/ 110K on it so obviously the shocks are in poor health.
I need to make sure I don't also need to replace tie rods while I'm into the suspension. What's a good way to tell if the tie rods are still good?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Recently my car's handling has gotten incredibly bad. She's very twitchy on the roads, and even when changing lanes it feels like it wants to follow the grooves.
It's on completely base suspension w/ 110K on it so obviously the shocks are in poor health.
I need to make sure I don't also need to replace tie rods while I'm into the suspension. What's a good way to tell if the tie rods are still good?
It's on completely base suspension w/ 110K on it so obviously the shocks are in poor health.
I need to make sure I don't also need to replace tie rods while I'm into the suspension. What's a good way to tell if the tie rods are still good?
I would take a good look at tires and/or alignment (especially caster) as suspects for "tram lining". Check the anti-roll bar end links too.
HTH
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: hill billy hell
A tie rod end will pivot back and forth. You should be able to twist the tie
rod end back and forth at the steering knuckle. If you can see or feel play
when trying to pull the tie rod end out of the steering knuckle than it is
wore out. It is hard for me to explain, but you should not be able to
notice any up and down play where the tie rod end mounts. Most of the
time you have to wedge a pry bar between the tie rod and a fixed
place on the car and pull up or down to see if you can get any play
and most the time it is visible. So A tie rod end is like a ball and socket,
you do not want to be able to to pull the socket from the ball end that
mounts to the steering knuckle.
Since you cannot grease them more than likely the are wore out.
rod end back and forth at the steering knuckle. If you can see or feel play
when trying to pull the tie rod end out of the steering knuckle than it is
wore out. It is hard for me to explain, but you should not be able to
notice any up and down play where the tie rod end mounts. Most of the
time you have to wedge a pry bar between the tie rod and a fixed
place on the car and pull up or down to see if you can get any play
and most the time it is visible. So A tie rod end is like a ball and socket,
you do not want to be able to to pull the socket from the ball end that
mounts to the steering knuckle.
Since you cannot grease them more than likely the are wore out.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 25
From: Rochester Minnesota
Just have your wife turn the steering wheel back and forth (just enough to take the play out of the system) while you're laying on the ground watching the tie rod ends. There should be virtually no play at the tie rod end.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
My extreme mileage '99 still has the same tie-rods and they are still tight. Although it has never been to a track, its seen a whole lot of freeways at 301K miles now.
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Le Mans Master
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From: hagerstown md
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Corinth TX
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Sorry, wasn't trying to steal the thread, just pointing out at my tie-rods appear to be in good shape...so far. But, also admitting that its basically seen only freeways for like %99 of its life.
