Hi Mike,
Here are some links that I've found while investigating my own tie rods...
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generalinfo/l/bldef_797.htm
http://www.aa1car.com/library/2003/bf20340.htm
Of course if you take everything apart and they flop around like a wet
noodle, then they probably should be replaced.
My Moog ball joings could not be moved while in the hand. The old ones
would move with one finget. Same thing with the tie rods. In fact, my
passenger inner tie rod actually moved within the ball socket. I probably
would have worked itself out at some point.
"NOT SURE IF YOUR MODEL HAS IT, but if you're replacing that stuff, maybe
the Pitman arm and Idler arm too?
Chris
""mike kulczycki"" <dakota1994@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:BAY111-F31CFB4358FB5763A4BED6ADE390@phx.gbl...
>
> I am looking for some help on detecting bad ball joints and tie rods. I am
> about to replace my leaky steering rack. I am going to have everything
> apart anyway so I am wondering if I should be replacing other parts also.
> I have 173k miles on my 94 Dakota. The tie rods probably have 60k miles,
> so they shouldn't be bad. But my steering has been real touchy and not
> feeling right for sometime. The upper ball joints probably have 60k miles
> also. But the lowers are the originals. I am wondering if I should just
> replace them while it's apart. I am going to get a front end alignment
> afterwards anyway. So they'll be able to tell me if something is not
> right. But then I'll have to take it back home and tear it apart again.
> Just wondering if I can test it in my garage to tell what is bad. I have
> replaced ball joints and everything on the front end on my 95, so I know
> it isn't that hard. Any help is appreciated...
> Thanks...
>
> Mike K
> 94 SLT,CC,239,2wd,auto
> 95 Sport,RC,360,5-speed
> http://www.hornok.com/zig
>
>
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