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car parked, engine off, steering locked right or left.
wheels turned to hard right.
Have someone move (force) the right tire back and forth front to back while you look @ the outter tie rod end. The wheel will move the amount of slack that's worn. If you see all of that movement in the outer, it's just the outer. If the slack moves farther than what you see on the outer, then the inner is bad.
The same is true for seeing no slack on the outer, then the outer is good, but the inner is bad. In this case, you should see the tie rod moving back and forth, but no slack from the outer it's self.
Then wheels turned to hard left, steering locked.
Same routine for the left front.
the ball joints can also be checked simularly, but not as reliable. (this assumes that the wheel bearings are good) Put your foot on top of the suspect tire and force inward harshly, repetedly. (watch the ball joint if minor slack) if major and you are certain it's only moving the top in and out and not side to side, then the ball joint needs replaced as well. THIS IS NOT A PERFECT TEST, A BAD BALL JOINT CAN SHOW GOOD IN THIS TEST ON OCCASION.
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