You will have to jack up the car to access the tie rods, and it isn’t safe to do on soft surfaces like grass or dirt. Choosing a level surface prevents the car from rolling forward while you’re under it.

Wheel chocks, along with everything else you may need to check tie rods, are available online and at most auto parts stores. If you don’t have plastic chocks, you can use pieces of scrap wood, but make sure the car can’t move at all.

Make absolutely sure the jack is underneath one of the jack points! If you position it incorrectly, you could damage vital car parts. If you’re unsure where the jack points our, check your car’s owner’s manual. They can be in slightly different spots for each vehicle, but use them to prevent frame damage.

For accuracy, test the tie rod while the wheel is still on. This can only be done while the wheel is off the ground. You can remove the wheel afterward to further inspect it.

Jack stands help keep the car supported, even if it happens to fall off the jack. You don’t have to remove the jack, but you can if it’s in your way. The stand will keep the car supported.

No matter how big your muscles are, you can’t move a tire much when its tie rod is still good. Replace the tie rods if the wheel feels loose or squeaks. Normally, you won’t be able to move the wheel very much just by shaking it. If you notice that it seems floppy and it wobbles back and forth, then the tie rod could have a problem.

The lug nuts take a bit of force to loosen, so they are hard to loosen while the car is jacked up. Keep the lug nuts on so that the wheel doesn’t come off while the car is on the ground. If it does, you will have a hard time

Having to raise and lower the car can seem like extra work, but it’s important for safety. You can’t get an accurate test while the rod is off, but you also can’t loosen the lug nuts while the car is jacked up.

If you’re having a hard time removing the lug nuts, work them with a tire iron or wrench. If your tire is stuck, tap its rim with a rubber mallet. It helps break free a rusted tire, but you usually have to pull it with a lot of force as well.

The cap both protects the tie rod and secures it to the wheel. If the cap isn’t there, the tie rod won’t last too long, either.

The boot is replaceable, but it isn’t worth replacing unless you catch tears when they are new. If you wait, dirt gets in and you have to replace the whole outer rod.

Listen for squeaking, clicking, and other unusual noises. These are also good signs that your tie rod needs replacing. If you are able to access the rod without moving the wheel, watch it while someone else shakes the wheel. Getting a good view of the rod can be tough, but it can give you a better idea about how loose it is.

If both rods look like they are wearing out, replace them both for your own safety. They often wear out at the same time. They cost about $20 to $95 USD. The rods don’t have to be replaced at the same time. If one of the rods looks like it’s in good condition, you can keep it.

Make sure your car is stable on jack stands before reaching underneath it. You can reach the inner rod while the wheel is on, but it’s tricky. With the wheel off, the rod is much easier to spot and reach.

The inner tie rod is always smaller than the outer one. It’s always connected to the end of the inner rod.

The rack boot can be replaced, saving you from having to get a new tie iron. However, this only works if the tie iron is still in good shape. Keep in mind that the inner tie irons wear out far less frequently than the outer ones. If your car has a problem, it will most likely be the outer rod, the rack boot, or even the steering column before it is the tie rod.

It’s normal for the inner tie rod to spin without making much noise. If you hear popping or other noises coming from anywhere but the rack boot, then something is wrong with it.

The inner tie rod is a little more difficult to remove than the other one. It requires a tie rod separator to detach it from the outer rod. Take it to a mechanic if you are unable to do it on your own. Replacement inner tie rods cost about $25 to $109. You don’t have to change out both inner rods at the same time or replace them when you’re installing new outer rods.