tie rod question

[DailyDriveCamry]

I'm overhauling the cv joint on my 94 Camry i4 and unhooked the ball joint to pull the steering knuckle out far enough for the driveshaft to come out of the knuckle. Well afterward the steerking knuckle lowered a bit and the tie rod outer end boot oozed out some grease. I am wondering if that grease oozing out means the boot is bad, or just that the end is at a bad angle for the moment? The tie rod end appears to be fine otherwise. What's your experience with this?

Thanks in advance!

[73sport]

The easiest way to tell is when the car is completly assembled and bearing all of its weight on its own tires have an assistant gently rock the steering wheel back and forth (wheels straight ahead) and see if the joint moves up and down. Any noticiable freeplay and it should be replaced.

The other option is to get it all basically assembled with the weight either sitting on the wheel hub (wheel off, hub on a block of wood) and pry it up and down. If it moves up and down, replace it. Basically a joint full of water or one that moves (FLOPS) from side to side while disconnected is soo loose it should be replaced.

You don't say how many miles are on it. <100K of freeway miles, pob OK. 100K of postal stop and go, replace ity while your there. If you routinley fly over speed bumps at 50mph, replace it.... you get the idea.

Hope this helps

/ra

[rusty9]

uh...yeh...dont worry you just ripped the dust boot. if the end has a grease fitting just give it a fresh shot. if not dont worry about it. the way to check if a tie rod is bad is to jack the wheel off the ground and grasp it by the sides and wiggle it back and forth. if its solid you have no probs. if it wiggles, stick you head in there and see where the free play is coming from(inner or outer end).

[DailyDriveCamry]

Car's odemeter was rolled back 2 owners before me, so I don't know the actual mileage. Likely between 150,000 and 200,000.

Thanks for the good advice on how to check a tie rod. Appreciate it.