How to check front tie rod ends?

[96ExplorerSport]

Hi,

Is there a way to check front tie rod ends to see if they are bad? What are the symptoms of them going bad? Mine are off the X right now and I'd like to know if I should replace them.

Thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

Do they feel very loose? Do you have grease all over them? How many miles do these tie rods have? Was there a problem making an alignment with them when they were installed on the vehicle?

 

[96ExplorerSport]

I've owned a car for a year and I am not sure how old tie rod ends are. They do not feel look loose and there are no alignment problems. If I try to turn them by hand I can feel resistance.

 

[BrooklynBay]

They don't sound like they are bad. I would say that all you have to do is clean out the old grease, and repack it with new grease.

 

[skoal_mint]

Wiggle the steering wheel side to side, then get somebody to go under the truck and look at the tierods for play...sometimes you can hear the knocking inside the truck, but most of the times its just the steering box.

If you can see to well, grasp the tierod and if you can feel movement then you got a bad tierod

 

[shortstack]

from what i know is if u can shake them manually with your hands and they move they need to be replaced. (shake hard)

 

[96ExplorerSport]

Thanks guys!