Tie rod bad?

[GMCMan4.8]

Just a quick question. This is probably quite simple, but my dealer has informed me that I have 2 bad tie rods. What is the easiest way to determine if they are in fact bad?

 

If they are bad is it a simple task to replace them? Surprising, but I have never messed with tie rods before ( I am aware that an alignment is required after if I do replace them.

 

Thanks in advance.

[rjirvine]

Theyre not too hard. You can tell by lifting the front end and grabbing the 3 and 9 o'clock positions on the wheel and trying to turn it. If it turns more than a little bit it's bad.