Bad Tie rod end??

[50trimmed1g]

Hi, I've been searching and now I know how to change the tie rod end but I'm having problems diagnosing if my problem is the tie rod end. My Question is"
If I jack my car up in the front I can wiggle the rotor left to right if I grab it at 9 oclock and 3 oclock and it makes a clunking sound. If I pull the tie rod that goes to the rack and pinion system in and out it makes the same clunking noise and there is about 1/8 inch of play. Would this indicate a bad inner or outer tie rod or something completely different? It is so hard to find where the noise is coming from but it sounds like it is coming from behind the rotor. Then again it also sounds like it is coming from inside the rack and pinion system. Sorry, I really don't have to much knowlege on steering systems.

[wret]

Sounds like the outer TRE to me.

[1992awdlaser]

Have somebody else wiggle it for you and put your hand on the outer tie rod where it connects to the steering knuckle. If it is the outer tie rod you will feel it with your hand there.

[PieEyedPiper]

Meh, who cares if its inner or outer. Replace both, If one is worn to have 1/8" of play, the other may be next if its not already contributing to that play.

[1992awdlaser]

Originally Posted by PieEyedPiper

Meh, who cares if its inner or outer. Replace both, If one is worn to have 1/8" of play, the other may be next if its not already contributing to that play.

Actually inner tie rods on most cars last considerabley longer than the outers. When I was a mechanic I would say they lasted at least 20,000 miles more than the outers normally (obviously not always though).

[PieEyedPiper]

Originally Posted by 1992awdlaser

Actually inner tie rods on most cars last considerabley longer than the outers. When I was a mechanic I would say they lasted at least 20,000 miles more than the outers normally (obviously not always though).

That might be the case.
My experience is probably limited, compared to yours in that case.

I based my comments on my own vehicle, my inners were bad, so I just did them all to solve it for good.
Also Wret had also expressed in a post or two that his experiences indicated the inners were a more popular wear point on 2g's.

I still recommend a complete replacement, for peace of mind, but thanks for adding in some real world experience from an actual mechanic.

[50trimmed1g]

Thanks to you all. I am going to try to isolate the problem. I forgot to mention that the car will make the same noise even if I wiggle the curved arm that goes verticle to the hub area. But only if I wiggle it left and right. Does this also indicate outer tre. Should I just take off the outer tie rod end and wiggle the shaft again and see if there is still play in the inner tie rod.

[1992awdlaser]

Just put your hand on the outer near where a grease fitting might be while somebody else shakes it. If the outer has play you will feel it. Then put your hand on the end of the inner (end closest to the rack) and see if you can feel it.

[50trimmed1g]

Okay, thanks 1992awdlaser!

[1992awdlaser]

Don't forget an alignment afterwards also.

[PieEyedPiper]

Originally Posted by 50trimmed1g

Thanks to you all. I am going to try to isolate the problem. I forgot to mention that the car will make the same noise even if I wiggle the curved arm that goes verticle to the hub area. But only if I wiggle it left and right. Does this also indicate outer tre. Should I just take off the outer tie rod end and wiggle the shaft again and see if there is still play in the inner tie rod.

That sounds to me, if I'm understanding your correctly, like that would indicate a problem with the balljoint in your upper control arm. But then again, maybe you're just loading the suspension assembly enough from wiggling at that point to have your tie rods make noise - though my tie rods never made sound, unless you count the slight click they would make when I yanked on them, indicating some wear.