Brett

How do you tell if your tierod is shot? I think mine is but not sure.

IceShark

Bump

I think mine are OK but I'm putting on new rubber boots on the steering rack so may as well check and replace tie rods if they are worn too much.

testarossa_td

I am pretty sure the classic method is jack up the front(get the wheels off the ground) and grab the wheel at 3 and 9 and give it a pull and a back left to right back and fourth. Of course somehow you need to see if there is any play so a helper is well...very helpful.
I could be wrong about all this, so someone correct me if I am wrong

IceShark

That could be right I guess. The push pull test is how to tell if the control arm ball joint is bad. 1/4" movement is bad news. That is at the 12 and 6 o'clock position. I'm OK on that test as all is solid other than a little slop (maybe 1/64") from the wheel bearings and what not. And that is really pushing on the tire enough to deform a 45 side profile tire with 34 pounds of air in it.

So I guess I try the 6 and 9 if no one comes up with something better. It all looks pretty solid and I poked at it with a crowbar. The car only has 44,000 miles on it but is 17 years old.

Brett

My 12 to 6 has almost no play. But at the 9 and 3 I have quite a little movement as well as some noise.