Tie Rod End: Testing and Inspection

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TIE ROD

Tie rod free-play can be measured using the following hand methods:

OUTER TIE ROD

1. Raise and support the vehicle Maintenance.
2. Remove the front wheels Tires And Wheels - Removal.
3. Install two standard wheel mounting fasteners (flat side to rotor for mounting nuts), diagonally opposite to each on the rotor.




4. Attach a magnetic dial indicator (2) to the inside or outside of the brake rotor, then align the dial indicator's contact pointer (1) with the direction of the stud axis and touch the outer tie rod.
5. Zero the dial indicator. (3)






NOTE: When checking free-play, DO NOT rotate the tie rod. Just because a tie rod rotates easily does not mean that it is necessarily faulty. Using more than light hand pressure will result in a false reading.

6. Grasp the outer tie rod near the ball stud and attempt to move the tie rod straight up and down using light hand pressure. (Less than 10 lbs. of force.)
7. Measure and record any tie rod free-play movement.

8. Remove the magnetic dial indicator.
9. Remove the standard wheel mounting nuts from the two studs.

If the free-play in the tie rod exceeds 0.05 mm (.002 in.), replace the outer tie rod. Tie Rod End - Removal. If the free-play is less than 0.05 mm (.002 in.) at the outer tie rod check the inner tie rod for free-play. Refer to the following procedure.

INNER TIE ROD

NOTE: Always check and repair (if necessary) outer tie rod free-play before checking inner tie rod free-play. False results can otherwise be obtained.





1. Grasp the inner tie rod near the steering gear bellows and attempt to move the tie rod straight up and down. If any free-play is felt, replace the inner tie rod Tie Rod End - Removal.
2. If no free-play is felt, install the front wheels Tires And Wheels - Installation.
3. Remove support and lower the vehicle.