i not shure if i need tie rod ends on my jeep you can twist the tie rod about a qurter turn so my question is are my tie rod ends bad and would that be a factor in my death wobble

 

well, TRE are supposed to have a little play in them (if they are rubber). signs they need to be replaced is cracked and dry rubber, or if it is moving around a lot more than just that little twist. it does sound like yours have more than they should, though. if they are older, or are the original, then just replace em...

if your concerned about the dreaded DW, then try this. jack up your rig (one tire at a time is ok), and grab the tire top and bottom and push and pull back and forth. if there is play then your u joints are going. other stuff that will contribute to DW are bad track bar, and all rods and rod ends. are the tires well balanced?

another easy check- have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth from about the 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock position while you look under the front and check all parts associated w/ steering. if there are bad bushings etc., you should be able to tell. jacking up the jeep so that there is less pressure on the tires is good, but they still need to be firmly on the ground.