Tie Rod or Ball Joint???

[Davect06607]

If my tire moves from side to side it is a ball joint worn out, right?
And if it moves from top to bottom it is Tierod?
I always get theses two mixed up.

I replaced everything about 1.5 years ago, I have tremendous amount of movement from side to side now. Is it best to replace all 4 control arms/ball joints again? Or can I get away with replacing one?
Thanks

[zrowcool]

u have it backwards. side to side is tie rod
up and down is control arms/ball joints

[Rob6291]

Depends on where the slack is coming from. You can check to see where the play is coming from. If you have one upper or lower on one side thats loose - thats all you would have to replace and then have it lined up.

[shaggyt]

Maybe it's a bad bearing

[Davect06607]

it was inner tie rod, it was shot.

[luism88]

I would try replacing all. I experimented like you said just replacing the bad one, and soon after BAM! the rest went bad. A specialist at my local Audi said that it throws off the rest of the arms when everything is not equally worn. Now it could be that it was just because I have Quattro. Just my opinion go safe and replace all, look online for deals, because any shop whether its Audi or not will charge you an arm an a leg. I paid $270 for the 12pc kit and they where Bilstein. Good luck