I have a vibration that I am trying to track down on an 01 4x4 SC.

Tie rod ends are original to the vehicle. Is the proper way to check tie rods end to just to grab them and feel for movement when the truck is on the ground?

I have pulled the driveshaft and the u joints and they seem fine.

Just had tire balanced and rotated.

Ball Joints have about 20k miles on them since replacement.

Vibration only happens when getting off the gas at 75mph or more and goes away by about 70 mph. Putting the truck in neutral and shutting off the engine when at speed doesn't change the vibration. Vibration is primarly felt through the floor/seat, but I may be getting a little through the steering wheel and brake pedal. Rotors are original all the way around (150+k miles), but I can't say it is any more than before. Very slight if any.

 

At 150k miles I would say that tie rod ends would need replacement. May be idler arm as well. The way I was told to check for play in the tie rods was to jack up the right side leaving the left side on the ground then put your hands at 9 and 3 then push and pull both sides if there is movement then get underneath then grab the tie rod ends to see if there is play on them, repeat for the other side. Idler arm see if there is any play in it by trying to move the tie rod up and down, left and right, forward and back.

I have an 02' Screw FX4 and the only thing I haven't replaced on the front end suspension is upper and lower ball joints, hope this helps.

 

I bet its the idler arm i have put 1 on mine already

 

Thanks, Checked the tie rod today by jacking one side at a time and checking for play. There was very little at all. There might have been 1/16 of an inch movement at the outside of the tires in the 9 - 3 position, and zero movement in the 12 and 6 oclock side.

I did pull all the tires to check the brakes. One thing that I think needs more investigation is the one front lower shock bolt appear that it may be on a slight angle. Put a wrench on it and it isn't broken, but could be bent.

Didn't get in to check the idler, but will. To cold and we to be on the ground.

Thanks!