Diagnosis And Testing - Tie Rod

Tie rod free-play can be measured using the following method:

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
2. If necessary, remove the front wheel and install two standard wheel mounting nuts, flat side to rotor, diagonally opposite to each on the rotor.
   NOTE:

   Make sure the tie rod end is straight (90°) in relation to the ball stud.

3. Attach a magnetic dial indicator to the inside or outside of the brake rotor, then align the dial indicator's contact pointer with the direction of the stud axis and touch the outer tie rod.
4. Zero the dial indicator.
   NOTE:

   When checking free-play, DO NOT rotate the tie rod. A tie rod that rotates easily, is not necessarily faulty.

5. 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).
6. Measure and record any tie rod free-play movement.
7. Remove the magnetic dial indicator.
8. Remove the standard wheel mounting nuts from the two studs.
9. If the free-play in the tie rod exceeds 1.15 mm (.045 in.), replace the tie rod end. Refer to END, TIE ROD, REMOVAL .
10. Install the wheel. Refer to WHEELS, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
11. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.