Test for front end wear

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

Dan
I wanted to give credit to Phil also on the research suggestion of front end parts. Phil said closely the same thing I did except I have done it the way I mentioned as the tire and rim are so heavy You could get better feedback with a bar. For a small car I would use My hands on all 4 positions.
Tie rods and drag link as well as pitman/idler put hands at 9 and 3 o'clock. Well You know what I mean no need to explain that part.
Put hands at noon and 6 to see ball joint move.
It is really best if You have someone with You to look for problems while You move tire around. Or even better trick a guy into doing the wiggling and You look. He will do the sweating while You hold His nice cold beverage as a reward. Your call on that part.

I would also want you to know or whoever else does this that there are degrees of wear that are safe and OK to live with untill it gets worse. But, it is just that You have gained knowledge by doing the test and do it again later to see if it is the same or worse. This way You do not spend the money on repairs yet so a person can go a little longer waiting till they really need it.
I had to replace all My front end parts mentioned in this thread and had only 10,000 miles so they put in new so I'm replacing them with Fabtech Kit I got from Phil to solve the problem. The thing I like best is they are rebuildable. Guy in service the manager who is a friend said it has not been unusual to have to do that. It was under warranty so no biggie. He said it is just the weight of the tires and rims We are running that it is causing it as much as running off road. He told Me that the off road as long as tie rods do not break will not wear them out any faster than just the size of the tires running up and down the road every day. But, He did say that the previuos statement would not be correct if they are die hard off roaders and go out every weekend or evening to get their fix.

TAZ