how do i check to see if theyre bad? just curious and want to make sure theyre not. rides bad and clunks while turning...also the steering wheel shakes. i have a bad ball joint so that is most of the probn, but want to make sure my tie rods are ok

 

If you lift the front end of the ground and grab the wheel at each side and gently rock side to side if you can feel any movement they need replacing

 

pretty simple

 

don't even need to jack it up. reach around, and tug it...

 

haha

 

i did that....and there is play i did this a while ago....but i thought that problem was because of bad ball joints......?

 

If you can get somebody to help you, jack your front end off the ground. Have them grab the front and back of your tire and rock it while you look underneath at your tie rod ends. You should be able to see where you suspension play is that way. also while their there have them grab the top and bottom and rock it so you can check your ball joints.

 

ok....i did this a while ago like i said.....when i grab the front of the tire(toward front of truck) and the back of the tire(towards back of truck) the tire didnt move...but when you grab the top and bottom. theres play.

 

That would be balljoint(s). Now have someone watch while you do that so you can determine if it is upper or lower. Get that fixed before you try to diagnose any other suspension problems.

 

ya i know. its just the upper....you can that son of bitch move fully. the bottom boot is ripped but the ball joint is good on it..its mainly my driver side upper ball joint giving me problems along with shocks that are too short....but im taking the shock out and im gonna drive with just coils and see how that rides....try that for a few days and if it rides fine them im getting longer shocks as well.