I know I have a bad out tie rod but I think something else is bad too, what are the symptoms?

 

clunks, loose steering,tire wear easiest way to check is to jack up the wheels move the tire side to side and up and down and then see where is slop is, eg..tie rods, ball joints, pitman arm, etc..

 

Anyone else??

 

The symptoms: When driving down the road, the truck will suddenly jump one way or the other. How bad it will jump depends on how bad the tie rod(or other part(s) are worn).

I have a unique way of checking for worn steering parts. And I have to brag it works like a charm. Get another person. Position the key switch so the steering wheel can turn without turning the ignition on(you may forget to turn it off). Have the other person place their hand on the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, and slowly and steadily keep turning it about 2 or 3 inches each way while you get under the truck and watch for any loose movement in the steering parts as the movement changes direction.

This has always worked for me first time every time. It probably won't work for finding play in ball joints. Have the wheels headed straight forward. Don't jack anything up. Don't start the engine.

 

Ball Joints - raise the tire off the ground and use a pry bar under the tire and lift up and down. Any play will be noticed at the joint.

J

 

Bad tie rod ends. Truck shakes when taking curves. My truck shook when turning left on curves at freeway speed. Finally donned on it to check tie rod ends at the wheel. They were sloppy loose. Replaced w / Moog parts.

 

bad tie rods the wheel will move left or right when u push it while in the air bad ball joints the wheel will move forward and back (while facing the wheel and using the center of the wheel as a pivot point)

 

Just look at what you buy, cheap chinese ones last no time and no grease fittings, as said get someone to turn the steering wheel back and forth, I put my hand on the joint, I can feel the slack before I can see it.

 

When I first bought my '92 F-150, the front left tire had uneven wear, and positive camber to it... The left outer tie rod was in pretty bad shape and so it was replaced - along with the tire of course.