Overhaulin'

I need to buy a car cheap. How can I tell if the tie rods are bad on a used car?

I'm going to buy my college student another inexpensive car. I can tell a bad engine, but I'm not that familiar with the front end and suspension. How do I tell if the wheels and especially the tie rods are bad?

Public Comments

1. jack one side up and then try to wiggle the tire back and forth. If it has a lot of give, then they are probably bad. This could also mean ball joints are going out too.
2. There are a couple of ways 1. Have someone turn the wheels all the way to one side. Then have them move the steering wheel back & forth. There should be no sloppiness in the tie rod. 2. Raise the vehicle & support on jack stands. With a large pair of pliers, pinch the tie rod vertically. There should be no up or down movement. »»»
3. Get under and look. Bent is bad. Straight is good. A better way to tell though is to just go for a test drive and check the steering. If its aligned and has no trouble turing, the ties rods are fine.
4. one sure way to tell is to jack the car up or put it on a lift. use a tire iron and apply leverage to the center link and tie rods. If there is a loose joint it will feel sloppy...giving too much play.
5. Lift the vehicle and install jack stands. You will need the stability of the stands to inspect correctly. grasp tire while facing it and have another person observe the tie rods. Move tire in a short back and forth movement and any excessive play will be seen by the observer. Placing a hand at the mounting points will allow you to feel the play. 1/16 to 1/8 inch is considered within limits, myself, I don't like any unnecessary play.
6. you have to jack it up and shake the tire side to side... OK signs to look for and what to check.... first a walk a round looking down the sides of car for dents or discolor signs of wreck.... have a look at the tires for uneven wear signs of alignment bad..... you look under the car for wet spots on the ground and motor ,,check the tail pipe for signs of either black or wet .. either a good sign..... then you open the hood have a look at the motor you see any oil or coolant... bad signs of leak.... then you start it.. listen to how its starts and if it make any funny sounds or how it starts... fast start is good sign... then you check all the buttons and switches.. then you drive it 30 minutes... checking on how it takes off and how it stops..... and if it pulls to one way or the other.... then after you get back you recheck the motor and under the car and the tail pipe.....if you have any qusetions,,, pass if you notice any of these signs pass it by
7. jack it up and shake the tires back and forth. if they are bad, the tires will shake.