inner tie rods bad?

[ajpm26]

So I noticed when I turn my steering wheel there's a creaking noise so I checked it and noticed both my outer tie rods are bad. The boots are torn and there's play in the wheel when I jacked the car up and move the wheel left to right.

My question is, how can I tell if my inner tie rods are bad? I'd rather replace it now instead of finding out that they're bad once I put the new outer tie rods on.


Thanks

 

[TrevorS]

So I noticed when I turn my steering wheel there's a creaking noise so I checked it and noticed both my outer tie rods are bad. The boots are torn and there's play in the wheel when I jacked the car up and move the wheel left to right.

My question is, how can I tell if my inner tie rods are bad? I'd rather replace it now instead of finding out that they're bad once I put the new outer tie rods on.


Thanks

If both outer ball joints are that shot, I'd replace the inner joints as a matter of course. Outside of replacing the outer first, and checking the remaining play, all I can suggest is checking the stiffness of the inner joints, if no stiffness, then replace. This might also be a good time to check the control arm ball joints for any sign of looseness, as well as check the condition of the two rubber bushings at the frame side of each arm.