Tie rod and drag link - how to tell when they are loose?

[runnert]

1995 Ranger 4.0l 4x4
I went for an alignment yesterday and they said my tie rod to pitman was loose and that my tie rod to right knuckle was loose. They wanted almost $400 to do the job. Since I did my ball joints myself, I would do this job as well. I climbed under the front and I did all I could to prove those joints were loose. Sure I could rotate them down and up, but I could not see where they were loose. Or maybe I am not checking them correctly.

How do I tell if my tie rods are loose and need replaced? Or am I getting ripped off?

Thanks,

runnert

 

[Mobtown]

I just got done replacing this whole setup on my 88 2.9L. Parts can be had for around $150 and the job can be completed in just a few hours...assuming you dont need to mess with the gearbox or pitman arm.

Just replacing the right outter and draglink should only cost about $100 in parts(draglink, tie rod, and adjustment sleeve), but I would recommend doing them all at once.

I would also recommend finding a new alignment shop.

 

[rickcdewitt]

start your truck and crawl under it.have someone move the wheels back and forth 2 inches or so and look at the tie rods,with weight on it its easy to see any play.a full alignment on these trucks costs about 100$ even so 300$ is alot for the rest of the job.an easy way to get the tie rods off is to pry on the tie rods with a long pry bar and hit the tie rod with a big hammer,they should pop out easier than using a pickle fork.these trucks have zero toe in so when your done use a tape measure on the front and back of tires to get the same measurement, that should get you close to zero,enough to drive it to an alignment shop.

 

[runnert]

I will check it tonight.

runnert

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I noticed mine were shot when I was putting my new tires on it, with the tire off the ground I had a good 1/2" of slope front to rear in it, they should be tight. Might be an easier test if you can't find an assistant to run the steering while you watch.

 

[runnert]

My wife turned the steering wheel for me. My pitman arm joint is loose - pops our of socket for a second. So I will need to replace that. But the tie rod into the right knuckle doesn't pop at all. In fact it feels the same as the left side. It is tight and seems ok. Also the adjusting sleeve seems ok. No different from either side anyway. So I will replace the pitman joint. I did find another place to go at the recommendation of some co-workers who live in the same town I do.

runnert

 

[runnert]

Got the alignment done this morning. I did replace the drag link but left the rest alone. All went well.

runnert