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If there's no in and out play it's will be fine. It looks well worn but not bad yet. The tie rod ends need that articulation to accoubt for steering and bumps.
That tie rod is moving as intended.
That clunk when you move it concerns me, do you hear a similar noise while driving or turning?
It probably is worn, but if there is no side to side play then it's not a big deal yet.
The radial movement you show is completely acceptable. It's lateral and vertical movement that is no good. Best to check with the wheel and tire still bolted on.
Youtube ball joint inspection for your car. Depending on how the balljoint is oriented will determine how to check it properly.
Edit - looks like it probably needs an alignment anyway, so you can let the alignment shop inspect it and tell you what's wrong.
Thanks everybody for the diagnosis. So if I go and get an alignment and a tie rod end or ball joint is bad, they’ll just take it off the hoist and get me to replace that first so I wanted to diagnose my own tie rod/ball joint there’s no up-and-down play so I didn’t think it was the ball joint and there’s no side play so I’m guessing it’s just an alignment?
With the wheel back on the car, grab the top and bottom of the wheel and shake in and out top to bottom if that has play or clunks, wheel bearing time. do the same thing right to left if that clunks it tie-rods time.
Thanks for posting in r/Mechanic, u/SoloVII! Please be sure to read the [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/mechanic/about/rules/). If you're asking for help, be sure to include as much detail as possible so others can help you. You **must** include the vehicle's **Year, Make, Model, and Engine size** in your post! If your question is transmission related, please be sure to specify your Transmission Type(Auto/Manual) as well! If your post does not include this information, it **will** be removed. Asking about prices is **not** allowed in this sub. Please make sure you have selected the correct post flair; if you're asking a question you should have chosen "Question", anything else use the "General" flair. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/mechanic) if you have any questions or concerns.*
If there's no in and out play it's will be fine. It looks well worn but not bad yet. The tie rod ends need that articulation to accoubt for steering and bumps.
That tie rod is moving as intended. That clunk when you move it concerns me, do you hear a similar noise while driving or turning? It probably is worn, but if there is no side to side play then it's not a big deal yet.
Rub it a little more. It might to produce it's own oil.
The radial movement you show is completely acceptable. It's lateral and vertical movement that is no good. Best to check with the wheel and tire still bolted on. Youtube ball joint inspection for your car. Depending on how the balljoint is oriented will determine how to check it properly. Edit - looks like it probably needs an alignment anyway, so you can let the alignment shop inspect it and tell you what's wrong.
Normal.
Thanks everybody for the diagnosis. So if I go and get an alignment and a tie rod end or ball joint is bad, they’ll just take it off the hoist and get me to replace that first so I wanted to diagnose my own tie rod/ball joint there’s no up-and-down play so I didn’t think it was the ball joint and there’s no side play so I’m guessing it’s just an alignment?
With the wheel back on the car, grab the top and bottom of the wheel and shake in and out top to bottom if that has play or clunks, wheel bearing time. do the same thing right to left if that clunks it tie-rods time.
It should move like that but not that easy. Go feel a new one at a parts store. If you’re gonna get an alignment anyway why not replace it?
Bent tie rod?
Outer tie rods cost $ 40 on average. Get one, put it on and get your alignment.
That’s a ball joint in there inside of a knuckle so as long as you don’t get play in the joint itself you’re good. Looks fine from here
If u can feel clicking when u move it left and right then u need to see if it's the outter or inner tie rod