Tie rods on aging BMWs should be replaced to avoid failure and to make your alignment guy happy. There is nothing more upsetting for an alignment tech than a seized tie rod.
If you hear a loud clunk when you turn your steering wheel, or have loose steering or inconsistent tracking, the problem could be a worn idler arm bushing. Bushing failure will allow excessive up and down play of the drag link/center tie rod on passenger side, resulting in inconsistent toe setting.
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