Benta

So I have a 2000 xj rough country 6.5 long arms and have replaced wheel hubs, ball joints, u joints, and I have outreagous play in my steering. Now I know for a fact my lower right control arm bushing is gone and causes a knocking and or loose point and I'm replacing that. My adjustable trackbar is also slightly loose and making a small knock and I'm gonna have that done when I get an allignment. I replaced my steering box about a year ago and it has always had play going from the steering shaft to the steering box not sure if its already gone or not..But my real question is with my tie rod/ends and the draglink..if I go under my jeep without having it jacked up or anything I can grab the tie rod with two hands and twist it back and forth..you should not be able to do this correct?

Savage71

The tie rod will rotate on the tie rod end a bit...it has to in order to accommodate the angle changes while steering. You are looking for 'play' in the TRE joint. One way to check is have a buddy turn the steering wheel left-right while you look at each TRE individually. They should be completely solid, although you will see them change angle as they rotate, they should not exhibit slop. I start at the pitman arm and follow the drag link to the tie rod, then passenger wheel, then across to the driver wheel. hope this helps.