An independent told me the right outer tie rod on my Accord was bad (see below for M/Y). Both tie rods swivel from 5 to 7 O'clock, due to the ball joint. I was told that was normal.

I took the wheel off to look at it and still cannot tell anything definite. The boots are torn on both tie rod ends, but since I was told only the right one is bad then I must assume a torn boot is not an issue (except that in the Helms Manual, there is a page on replacing the boots). But Helms has no info on testing the tie rod ends.

What is confusing me is what is the proper test for a swivel ball joint to determine if it is bad. One guy says to put the wheel/tire back on and grab it and push from front of car toward rear of car to check for play. Another guy says to grab wheel/tire and move up and down for play - who's right!?

PS. Hate to invest any more than is necessary. This is a high mileage accord. It needs three new tires; driveaxles; a middle exhaust pipe; passenger door skin; a hood; a turn signal light; a radiator support bracket welded in; rear rocker panel is rotted at lower rear fender; paint ain't new but I seen worse; interior needs a few plastic items replaced. So, are those tie rods really bad? I think what annoys me about replacing something like a tie rod that is only marginally if at all bad, is that if I needed to rely on this vehicle to get me off a desert, I bet those tie rods would do just fine.

Modified by diyer at 5:32 PM 12/5/2005


Modified by diyer at 6:17 PM 12/5/2005

 

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What is confusing me is what is the proper test for a swivel ball joint to determine if it is bad. One guy says to put the wheel/tire back on and grab it and push from front of car toward rear of car to check for play. Another guy says to grab wheel/tire and move up and down for play - who's right!?

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Which ones right? Neither of em.

With the front wheel in the air, gently move the tire left and right like it would move if you were turning the steering wheel. Just enough to see if there is any play in it.

 

Also after replacing or while replacing if that is what you are going to do. Definately get an alignment. Especially if you replace your tires first.

 

Grab the tire & 'steer' it like Chiovnidca says. But sometimes it helps if someone reaches in the window to hold the steering wheel. Otherwise the steering wheel might move which sorta feels like a loose tie rod.

If there's any looseness, grab your hand around the end of the tie rod, so you can feel (verify) that the looseness is located there. If not, check the upper & lower ball joints to find where the looseness is located.

 

Well, I did the left to right test and there is play in the passenger's side. As for what part is causing the play, that I cannot tell.

The Driver's side was ok.

Thanks for the info on how to test it --

 

Tie rods on accords are pretty durable but if there is play in them, they need to be replaced.