Tie rod ends

Is there some visual inspection method to determine if these are going? I'm in need of an alignment, but don't want to get taken for a ride when I take it in.

I did a quick google, but am not really getting any definite hits.

Well with my experience with my 95 ram when I had it, I took it in for some steering irregularities. I took it to my tire shop in the northwest, I have been going to them for tires and suspension lifts since I started driving, they have never jerked me around and always been fair, and most of all never railed me. I noticed a lot of play in the steering wheel just as I start to turn it, mostly to the left, only a little to the right. They rec. chaning at least my left tie rod end, and that my right was okay for now. Once the change was made there was very little play to the left. Hope that helps

So there was play in the wheel, prior to the steering actually moving the wheels? That's how you tell?

Turn the wheel right then pickup the right side and put the control arm on jacks. Leave the vehicle off and the steering wheel locked. Go to the right side and try to push/pull the wheel in and out looking at the knuckle that connects the spindle assembly to the tie-rod end. If you see and or feel play you wiil more than likely need tie rod ends. Do the same for the other side.

Email me if you need more entertainment, I can drop by and give you an uncertified opinion. I'm in Cat Hollow. I'm still digging the brake dust out of the nails from this mornings rear brake job. 85K on stock rear brakes.

Enjoy:spit:

yep, pretty much what jethro said... Just jack up one side of the front, the try to wiggle the wheel. If it wiggles, your due for new ends. I would replace both if one needs to be changed. They are fairly simple to change. Let us know if you need a "how to"

Yeah, a how-to would probably be good. I didn't get a chance to do as jethro suggested yet. I looked earlier in the day at what I think are the ends and they look ok to the untrained eye (then again, I could be looking at the wrong thing alltogether).

Thanks guys!

Send me an email, I am not far from your place. Please give me an excuse to get out in the heat and fry a little more after work....

Serious, let me know if you want some help.

Here is a typical tie rod:
http://www.virtualgaz.co.uk/updateoct04/ltd/Susp/LTD%20tie%20rod%20end%20-%20outer.jpg

They attach to the control arm.

1. Loosen lugs, jack up truck, and remove wheel.

2. use white out, sharpie or other pen/paint to mark the location of the jam nut on the tie rod.

3. Remove the retaining nut on the bottom of the tie rod. There may be a cotter pin the needs removed also...

4. Take a hammer and beat the shit out of the tie rod until it breaks free from the control arm. (once out, the spindle assembly will move back and forth freely)

5. Get you a couple good size wrenchs (10" works pretty good) loosen the jam nut on the rod side and unscrew the tie rod end. You most likely will need a pipe wrench or other wrench to hold the rod still, while removing the tie rod.

6. Put together your new tie rod and install reverse of removal. Screw the new tie rod to where you had mark the old, to keep your alignment decent. If it is greasable, remember to lube it up.

That should be it. This would also be a good time to change your pads, if they are due....

FYI: I haven't had to change my tie rod on the truck yet. So, number 5 could be varied a little bit. The tie rod could screw into a sleeve, the tie rod may have female threads or male, it just depends. either way it should be self explanitory on its removal. Just be sure to mark where the old one was, so that the new can be put in the same place.

Need more help? Just ask, I may not have been too clear...

Jake

And when you get done take the truck to an alignment shop and have them check to see if you are within specks on all other items, toe, camber & caster. You don't want to ruin a set of tires.

THe only thing I would add to what nine-ball said - when you hammer the daylights out of the tie rod - get a pickle fork set - $30 at Sears. These forks are a life saver when trying to separate tie rods, ball joints, etc. It is well worth the money.

I had been hearing a squeal coming from the drivers side front wheel of my 99 Silverado Z71 the past couple of days. I jacked it up and pulled the wheel to inspect the brakes, and noticed that I had alot of play in my inner tie rod joint (the inner one farthest from the wheel). This rod has one end like the pictured one above, but the other end has a ball and coupler that has a nut on the end. It looks like it threads directly on to the main (center) section of the steering system. Am I correct in assuming that it unthreads from the main section, or is there some other trick to this. I also noticed a little play in the wheel bearings as well, so it looks like I should take care of that as well, the passengers side has no play at all, so I will let them ride for now. Please let me know what to expect with the bearing and any info for replacing the tie rods. Thanks.