How to Check Tie Rod Ends

Tie rod ends are connected to a front wheel control arm or knuckles and are an extension of steering rack. Tie rods play an important role in steering system. If at any time tie rod becomes disconnected from control arm, steering will become free. To avoid such situation it is necessary to check the tie rod ends regularly to ensure that there is no excessive movement in them. You can check it at home by following these steps.

Items

• Floor jack or car lifter
• Jack stand
• Logs or wedge or wheel chocks

Steps

Make sure that the car is in neutral gear with the ignition key in accessory position. This will ensure you that the steering column is in the unlocked position. On automatic transmission car being neutral is enough to serve the purpose. The best way to check the slackness in the tie rod ends is to allow free movability to the wheels by having steering column unlocked. Note that most time when you turn the ignition key off it will lock the steering column.

• You can check most of the car by lifting either of the one side but there are some trucks and SUVs, which have so many front-end components and needs to be lifted completely from the front side. Remember if you do not have a lifter, you can park a car on a slope where rear wheels facing the slope and the front of the car is on jack. Do not forget to place wedge or wheel chock the rear tires.

• Make sure that the car is parked on leveled surface. This will help you in safer inspection process. You can either use pinch panel or rocker panel behind the front tire as lifting point or by putting a floor jack under the ‘A’ arm of the side, which you want to lift. Raise the jack up until you have got enough space to adjust the jack stand under it. Repeat the same process on the other side and adjust both the side on jack stands carefully. Wheel chock the rear tires for safety.

• Hold the front wheel tightly and move it back and forth rapidly. No excessive moment will be seen if the front end is tightened properly. In case you feel any excessive movement ask your partner to locate the position of the movement. This movement can be because of many reasons. But yet tie rod ends are easy to examine.

• In most of the cases you will spot movement near the ball area, where tie rod end arranges itself into the knuckle of the control arm. The excessive movement in that area means your outer tie rod end needs replacement.

• To check the movement on the inner tie rod, make hold of it and ask your partner to move the wheel back and forth as did before. This will give you a clear idea about how much the intensity of movement on the inner tie rod. Some cars show a little movement in rack and pinion, whereas the other might have excess movement. They have pitman arm and idler arm as well and need to be checked along with other parts.

• Examine the movement in lower ball joint also by holding the wheel and moving it in up and down direction with force. The new models of automobiles are coming with wheel-bearing assembly, which are without any free play. If you do not find any movement in lower ball joint, then the problem is with bearing. Bearing seated rotor is found in most rear wheel drive automobiles, which can be adjusted to tighten the slackness in a bearing. Though, a slight movement is negligible.

Tie rods are and important part of your vehicle. The proper working of the tie end rods is the surety of your safety.