How to Tell If a 86 Honda Civic Tie Rod Goes Out

The two-door Honda Civic was introduced in July 1972, followed by the three-door version in September of that same year. Honda began Civic production in the United States in 1986. The 1986 Honda Civic was available in a hatchback, two-door, two-wheel-drive wagon and four-wheel-drive wagon. The tie rods on the 1986 Civic control the inward and outward turning of the wheels, and are responsible for maintaining the toe alignment of the car. A bad tie rod can show many symptoms from minor one-sided tire wear to complete suspension wobbling.

Instructions

1

Chock the rear wheels on the Civic. Raise the front of the civic using a jack.

2

Place jack stands beneath the front sub-frame, on either side of the engine. Lower the Civic onto the jack stands.

3

Check the rubber boot on the outer tie rod end. If the boot is cracked or broken, then dirt and debris have contaminated the ball-and-socket joint inside the tie rod end. This means you must replace the tie rod end, regardless of its mechanical condition.

4

Lie next to one of the wheel wells and locate the outer tie rod. Place one hand on the outer tie rod.

5

Ask your assistant to shimmy the wheel from side to side horizontally, in the same direction the wheels rotate when you turn them. If you feel a strong gyrating or knocking feeling in the outer tie rod, then the outer tie rod is bad. If the knocking sensation in your hand feels weak, move your hand toward the inner tie rod. Ask your assistant to shimmy the wheel again. If the knocking is stronger on the inner tie rod, then the inner tie rod end is bad.

6

Repeat steps 3 and 4 to test the tie rods on the second side of the Civic. Raise the Civic off of the jack stands once you have diagnosed which tie rods are bad. Remove the stands from beneath the car and lower the Civic to the ground. Do not attempt to loosen the wheel lug nuts when the car is on jack stands.