need steering help

[texasmeat]

I was going to get my 1989 325i aligned today and when they guy put it up on the rack, he wiggled the front left wheel and said that my tie rod ends are gone. Are these easily replaced and would that affect alignment? When you put your hands at 3 o 'clock and 9 o'clock and push in the wheel wiggles. It's definately coming from the tie rod end but I've never changed these out before and didnt know if the guy was trying to con me. I was told it wont align unless this is fixed. Thanx

[dhaus]

Worn outer ball joints will have the same result, and in my opinion is the more common cause of that symptom. Make sure which it is. Tie rod ends are not too hard to replace. The ball joints come with new control arms and the installation is more difficult. Doing a front-end alignment with tie rod ends or ball joints that are worn enough to couse slop in the steering is a waste of time.