Tire wear *Updated 12/12 w/ pics PAGE 2

[SykVSyx]

I just got the tie rod checked on the TL, Chris.

There is a bit of play, not an issue right now, but probably something we will look to replace soon enough before giving the car to the wife's Mom.

A lil play is ok, but it shouldn't give more than a few mm at most when you try to move the tire.

 

[001Stunna]

^Gotcha. So jack up the car and push/pull with my hands at 12/6 and 9/3 and if there's no play then chances are the ball joints are still good. I'll have the shop test it too, but I feel like they'll just advise to replace them regardless, lol. Though I've had good experiences with TD.

I did have a torn cv boot a year or two back on the driver side, but had it replaced before winter so no salt, etc got inside. Guessing that's unrelated to this though.

Put some force into it when you do it. When you do 9/3(checking tierods) you will feel a bit of smooth play(maybe a couple mm); what you're looking for is excessive play or a click/thump feel. When you do 6/12 you might THINK you feel some smooth play but pay attention to the front shock/spring as it might be because you're compressing it

 

[RedRyder]

So the TD techs said the tie rods are still fine for now, being the skeptic I am I asked the supervisor and manager to take a look and they kindly did. They both seem to think the tie rods don't need replaced. They drove the car, tugged on the suspension, and nothing is moving or has play in it. I asked them to test both the tie rod ends and the ball joints.

Obviously this surprised me, so I asked them about the torn bushing at the end of the tie rod, and they said yes it is torn, but it's not leaking grease and they heard no popping nor felt any play and said when I start to hear noise that they should be replaced. They said they would still replace the tie rod ends if I wanted, but deemed it unnecessary at this point.

 

[NGP_UA5]

So the TD techs said the tie rods are still fine for now, being the skeptic I am I asked the supervisor and manager to take a look and they kindly did. They both seem to think the tie rods don't need replaced. They drove the car, tugged on the suspension, and nothing is moving or has play in it. I asked them to test both the tie rod ends and the ball joints.

Obviously this surprised me, so I asked them about the torn bushing at the end of the tie rod, and they said yes it is torn, but it's not leaking grease and they heard no popping nor felt any play and said when I start to hear noise that they should be replaced. They said they would still replace the tie rod ends if I wanted, but deemed it unnecessary at this point.

Throw a boot kit on them and some new grease and they with last you a while longer.

 

[RedRyder]

If when I have my hands at 9 and 3 on the wheel, and I’m pushing toward the car on 9 & pulling away from the car on 3, and I’m hearing a light knock each time (hear nothing when I pull on 9 and push on 3)….does that mean anything or is that just the sound of the steering lock?

And how much movement should there be when doing the above? I have no movement or noise when I push/pull on 12 and 6, but there is some movement at 9 and 3.

 

[001Stunna]

If when I have my hands at 9 and 3 on the wheel, and I’m pushing toward the car on 9 & pulling away from the car on 3, and I’m hearing a light knock each time (hear nothing when I pull on 9 and push on 3)….does that mean anything or is that just the sound of the steering lock?

And how much movement should there be when doing the above? I have no movement or noise when I push/pull on 12 and 6, but there is some movement at 9 and 3.

Lock your steering wheel to cut-off most steering wheel play and try again.
If testing by not locking the wheel you will feel some "smooth" steering play versus a "click click" play which could indicate worn tie rods.