Tie Rod Ends
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New User
Joined: May 2004
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Tie Rod Ends
How does one check to see if tie rod ends need to be replaced? Was greasing everything the other day and noticed that I could move the tie rods back and forth. How much play is considered excessive? Also, if anyone has replaced these, how hard was it to do and are there any techniques to make it easier?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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I had a wicked death wobble, so I knew that I had to replace mine. But, as a check, what I did was to jack up one side of my truck, grab the wheel at the 9o'clock and 3o'clock positions and try to wobble the wheel. Mine had play, so I confirmed it was time to replace. If you grab at 12 and 6 o'clock positions and find play, then your bearings are bad and need to be replaced.
I kept my wheels on the ground while replacing... my thought was that I would then have less potential for huge alignment problems afterward.
Also, some people told me to pound them off with a hammer... but after an hour of doing that with no success, I found that the pickle fork available for $12 at schucks did the job in one minute.
I kept my wheels on the ground while replacing... my thought was that I would then have less potential for huge alignment problems afterward.
Also, some people told me to pound them off with a hammer... but after an hour of doing that with no success, I found that the pickle fork available for $12 at schucks did the job in one minute.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
You need a bigger hammer or hit it harder. About three hits it should come off. Don't hit it on the nut or stem only on the side and it will pop right off. If you are going to reuse the tie rod never use a pickle fork cause it ruins them.
Have a friend turn the steering wheel back and forth about a half a turn rapidly while you are underneath and feel for play. There should not be much if any.
Have a friend turn the steering wheel back and forth about a half a turn rapidly while you are underneath and feel for play. There should not be much if any.
thanks
