How do I tell if a tie-rod is bad? I never got it. Put up the

Is the boot torn or is there grease around the boot?

>>15283712

No tear on the boot. Felt all around it - it's good.

>>15283697
Tie rods=No Free Play
Ball joints can have a bit but tie rods are not supposed to have any.

Hmm, I know I CAN change one at a time, but should I just go ahead and change both?

I don't care about the money, but

>original > aftermarket
>muh time

>>15283776
Usually best to do both. I mean, if one is worn how long until the other one is also worn. Can't be all that far behind.

>>15283697
>Jack up front end
>Take off wheel
>Stick head into wheel well to look at tie-rod
>Grab a left stud and a right stud and push/pull multiple times

>Nothing happens
Your tie-rod is fine

>Movement happens
Your tie-rod is bad

you mean a ball joint.

it will feel sloppy if it's bad.

if you actually mean the tie rod then just pulling and pushing on it perpendicular to the plane of the car it shouldn't move at all other than play in the steering box.

>>15283972
>>15283927

It "rotates", it doesn't move side to side.

>>15284052
by that do you mean then tie rod spins if you grab the rod itself?

that's fine

>>15284057

Yea, I grab the outer tie-rod and I am able to rotate it clockwise/counterclockwise, maybe 5-10 degrees.

>>15284070
Yeah that's normal for them to do it.