Any way to isolate inner/outer tie rod problem?

[NKau]

Stranded in FL!!!! Isolating inner/outer tie rod problem

I'm only asking, because I'm in kind of a pickle with my '89. My dad's flying down to take one of my vehicles, and I'm heading from mid-Florida back to WI on wednesday or thursday next week, and still haven't taken care of the 'wandering' problem the car has; it's really not a lot of fun on the interstate currently, and aside from it getting a bit spooky going over a crown in the road switching lanes, etc., I want to take care of it if my dad's driving that instead of my work truck.
Just curious if there's a way to isolate a ball-joint/outer tie rod problem v.s. and inner tie-rod? Wiggling the wheel with the car on the ground at 3 and 9 o'clock will give you a 'clunk' on both sides with some effort; nothing at 6 or 12 o'clock, so I doubt a wheel bearing issue. You can feel a good clunk turning the steering wheel from left to right as well. I'm not nearly as well equipped with tools here as back home; only have a set of basic handtools (do have pickle forks), the factory jack (no jack stands), and the parking lot at my apartment complex to work in, so if it ended up being an inner tie rod where I'd want to replace the rack, there's no way I could do it with what I have down here; would just bite the bullet and nurse it home. If it's an outer tie rod, or even ball joint I should be able to handle it. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Kerpal]

I've been wondering this myself... my car has a wander at freeway speeds I want to take care of asap, but I don't know what part is causing the problem. I have bumpsteer as well, though the car isn't lowered as far as I can tell. In my case the steering turns without clunks or noises. What exactly should I be looking for when I get under the car to check everything?

 

[NKau]

I've been wondering this myself... my car has a wander at freeway speeds I want to take care of asap, but I don't know what part is causing the problem. I have bumpsteer as well, though the car isn't lowered as far as I can tell. In my case the steering turns without clunks or noises. What exactly should I be looking for when I get under the car to check everything?

Your case sounds like you might just have an alignment issue. A slight misalignment will seem worse on the freeway v.s. highway. Mines bad all the time

 

[squeeeg]

Inner tie rods don't go bad nearly as often as the outers. I think the easiest way to figure this out would be to have somebody else look at the parts while you twist the wheel maybe they can see which part it is.

 

[jrichker]

Sure method, but involves some work - disconnect the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle using a "pickle fork" tire rod tool. Then you will be abe to pull & tug on the inner tie rod and feel if it has any slack. I still have the orginal outer tie rod ends, but have replaced the rack & 1 inner tie rod end.

 

[NKau]

Sure method, but involves some work - disconnect the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle using a "pickle fork" tire rod tool. Then you will be abe to pull & tug on the inner tie rod and feel if it has any slack. I still have the orginal outer tie rod ends, but have replaced the rack & 1 inner tie rod end.

Yeah, I kind of figured that. Probably will just let it go until I get home; should be OK for 1,000 more miles (knocks on wood). Don't want to crawl under the car with just the car-jack as the only way to lift and support it. Just by feel/sound after playing with it some more, I think it's actually one of the inner tie rods anyway.