How to Know If You Have a Problem With Your Tie Rod for a 99 Dodge Intrepid

The stock Dodge Intrepid was almost deemed too aerodynamic for NASCAR body template standards.

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The 1999 Dodge Intrepid was equipped with a 2.7-liter V-6 engine in the base model. A 3.2-liter V-6 was available as an upgrade. The tie rods on the 1999 Intrepid are responsible for the toe alignment of the vehicle. The toe is the turning of the wheel inward or outward on a horizontal plane, and is judged by the front and rear treads of the tires. When the inner or outer tie rods go bad, it can make the tires wear unevenly on the inner or outermost tire treads.

Related Searches:Difficulty:Moderately EasyInstructions Things You'll Need1-ton or greater capacity floor jack2 jack standsSuggest Edits1

Raise the front end of the Intrepid with a jack. Place jack stands beneath the subframe on the driver and passenger sides of the car, just inside the lower control arms.

2

Turn the steering wheel slightly to the right, to open access for your arm to fit in the driver's side wheel well. Turn the ignition key off and remove it from the ignition to lock the steering wheel. Step out of the car and proceed to the driver's side front wheel.

3

Kneel down by the wheel and insert your right hand through to the inward facing side of the tire, and place your hand on the outer tie rod. Grab the forward facing tread of the tire and shake the tire horizontally from side to side. If you feel a knocking in the tie rod end, your outer tie rod may be bad.

4

Move your hand inward onto the inner tie rod end, and shake the wheel again. If the knocking feeling is stronger as you move your hand inward, the inner tie rod is bad. Replace the outer, inner, or both tie rods if the knocking is strong on both the outer and inner ends.

5

Step to the driver's seat of the vehicle. Turn the steering wheel slightly to the left. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 on the passenger side of the car, using your left hand on the tie rods and your right hand to shake the tire. Replace either tie rod on the passenger side if they are knocking.

Tips & Warnings

The steps in this tie rod diagnosis can be transferred to test the rear outer tie rods. The 1999 Dodge intrepid had tie rods on all four wheels.

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ReferencesCars Direct: 1999 Dodge Intrepid SpecificationsPhoto Credit Jamie Squire/Getty Images Sport/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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