Outer Tie Rod
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Dodge Charger and 2010 Chrysler 300. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Quick Reference/Hoisting - Standard Procedure .
- Remove the front wheels. Refer to Tires and Wheels - Removal .
- Install two standard wheel mounting nuts, flat side to rotor, diagonally opposite to each on the rotor.
- Attach a magnetic dial indicator (2) to the inside of the brake rotor, then align dial indicator's contact pointer (1) with direction of stud axis and touch outer tie rod.
- Zero 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.
- 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.)
- Measure and record any tie rod free-play movement.
- Remove the magnetic dial indicator.
- 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. See Steering/Gear/TIE ROD, Steering - 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. See the following procedure.