How to tell if inner or outer tie rod bad

[delicatedelinquent]

I have a loose tie rod i am told by the shop but forgot which one. Is there some easy way to tell if it is the inner or outer tie rod that is bad?

[maxwedge]

Jack up the suspect whee, grab it on the sides of the tire and see if there is play rocking it side to side, may need another person to look at where the movement is. Safe with jack stand here of course.

[tblake]

or leave it on the ground, and have an assistant move the steering wheel back and forth a few inches very rapidly, while you climb under and feel the outer tie rod ends. You have rack and pinion steering, lets hope for your sake its anouter tie rod end.

[dwalmop]

I've found often times you can't feel the inner's sloppiness unless it's under load, on the ground. In this case, you almost need some sort of device to let your wheels turn, spin, etc. when it's on the ground. (such as a wheel alignment turnplate).

[maxwedge]

One wheel only off the ground is enough load on the steering to check tie rods, std procedure.

[luminasrus]

Is the inner tie rod replaceable or do you have to replace the rack?

[maxwedge]

Can replaced seperately there is a special tool to access and remove it, AZ will rent it or loan it to you when the parts are purchased.

[luminasrus]

thanks! Seeing as my shop is closed "due to winter" I thik I will hire it done.