Charger V6-3.5L (2009)
Tie Rod End: Testing and Inspection
TIE ROD
Tie rod free-play can be measured using the following methods:
OUTER TIE ROD
1. Raise and support the vehicle See: Wheels and Tires/Vehicle Lifting/Service and Repair.
2. Remove the front wheels See: Wheels and Tires/Service and Repair/Removal and Replacement/Tires and Wheels - Removal.
3. Install two standard wheel mounting nuts, flat side to rotor, diagonally opposite to each on the rotor.
4. Attach a magnetic dial indicator (2) to the inside of the brake rotor, then align dial indicator's contact pointer (1) with direction of stud axis and
touch outer tie rod.
5. Zero dial indicator (3).
NOTE: When checking free-play, DO NOT rotate the tie rod. Just because a tie rod rotates easily does not mean that it is necessarily faulty.
Using more than light hand pressure will result in a false reading.
6. Grasp the outer tie rod near the ball stud and attempt to move the tie rod straight up and down using light hand pressure. (Less than 10 lbs. of
force.)
7. Measure and record any tie rod free-play movement.
8. Remove the magnetic dial indicator.
9. Remove the standard wheel mounting nuts from the two studs.
10. If the free-play in the tie rod exceeds 0.05 mm (.002 in.), replace the outer tie rod See: Service and Repair/Tie Rod End - Removal. If the free-play
is less than 0.05 mm (.002 in.) at the outer tie rod, check the inner tie rod for free-play. See the following procedure.
INNER TIE ROD
NOTE: Always check and repair (if necessary) outer tie rod free-play before checking inner tie rod free-play. False results can otherwise be
obtained.
