Tie rod ends bad?
Thread Starter
JK Jedi
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,470
Likes: 1
From: Westchester, NY
Tie rod ends bad?
I'm running a heavy duty tie rod and drag link, have had them both on the jeep for about a year and a half now, 20,000 miles.
When I rock the steering back and forth my mechanic can see a little movement to them but he said it look like they are rotating or pivoting slightly (all four ends). It's very slight.
Us this normal or are these ends bad? They have been greased regularly every 2k.
Thanks!
When I rock the steering back and forth my mechanic can see a little movement to them but he said it look like they are rotating or pivoting slightly (all four ends). It's very slight.
Us this normal or are these ends bad? They have been greased regularly every 2k.
Thanks!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by Hellbound13
I'm running a heavy duty tie rod and drag link, have had them both on the jeep for about a year and a half now, 20,000 miles.
When I rock the steering back and forth my mechanic can see a little movement to them but he said it look like they are rotating or pivoting slightly (all four ends). It's very slight.
Us this normal or are these ends bad? They have been greased regularly every 2k.
Thanks!
When I rock the steering back and forth my mechanic can see a little movement to them but he said it look like they are rotating or pivoting slightly (all four ends). It's very slight.
Us this normal or are these ends bad? They have been greased regularly every 2k.
Thanks!
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Bath, Oh
I had my Nissan maxima in for three alignments before I realized I needed new tie rods. Maybe the shop is helping you out. You can check your tie rods by jacking up one tire and placing your hands at the 3 and 9 o'clock. Try to steer the tire, if there's a metallic click or clank when shifting from one direction to the other that's a bad tie rod. It can be as little as 1/16-1/8 of free play to throw if off.
You can also check wheel/hub bearings next by placing your hands at 12 and 6 oclock and trying to rock that way. I don't think JK's have many issues there but many independent suspension vehicles do. I've found three bad bearings this way.
You can also check wheel/hub bearings next by placing your hands at 12 and 6 oclock and trying to rock that way. I don't think JK's have many issues there but many independent suspension vehicles do. I've found three bad bearings this way.