Tie Rods with Ends - SB,Center

This tie rod goes from the steering box to the idler arm on your super beetle. Two more tie rod attach to it.  To inspect the rods, have a friend turn the steering wheel back and forth a little while you place your hand on the top of one of the tie rod ends. The tires have to be on the ground or ramps. You can not do this test with the wheels hanging free.  If you can feel the end jump up and down before it pushes or pulls, it's bad. On some tie rods it's possible to change just the ends. On other tie rods, the ends are swedged on and the whole tie rod will need to be replaced. Usually you replace just the end unless the rod is bent or has the swedged ends.