Without tie rods, you can forget about steering your vehicle. These rods connect the steering and suspension system to the front wheels of the car.
Thanks to tie rods, you can steer the car with minimal effort.
Over time, the rods wear out. They will wear out faster if you regularly travel on uneven roads. In most cases, however, they will last you a few years.
How a Tie Rod Works
It consists of an inner tie rod and an outer tie rod. These rods are connected to the steering system, then to the wheels. When you turn the steering wheel, the rods roll on a slotted rack, which turns the front tires.
The rods push or pull the tires, depending on which direction you turn. Both ends have a well-lubricated ball joint. The outer joints are surrounded by rubber to protect them, but over time, the lubrication can escape and the rubber can perish.
When this happens, you need to act quickly, otherwise you will completely lose the ability to steer.
Top 6 Bad Tie Rod End Symptoms
Wondering how to tell if you have a broken tie rod or a loose tie rod? Let’s look at the most common symptoms:
1) Steering Wheel Shakes
The tie rods hold all the components in the correct position. If something goes wrong, they come loose. When this happens, the components are not held in the proper position.
While you are driving, the steering wheel will start to shake noticeably. This will get worse when you take a turn or start to accelerate.
2) Bad Front End Alignment
You will notice misalignment because the car will keep pulling to one side. Test if this is your problem by driving on a straight road. Let go of the steering wheel and see what the car does.
If the wheels are still properly aligned, the car should drive straight. If it pulls to one side, it means you likely have a bad alignment and need to get it checked.
3) The Steering Wheel Moves Freely
This sounds a bit strange, but you’ll understand what we mean if it happens to you. If the steering wheel seems to have too much play and you can move it much more easily than usual, get it checked.
4) Strange Noises
Bumps in the night are a lot of fun when you’re in a “haunted” house. In your car, however, they are serious. Listen for squeaking or creaking noises, especially when you are going around corners.
This is a sure sign that the joint is not lubricated as it should be and needs to be addressed quickly. Rattling is another bad sign and could be indicative of this problem.
5) Abnormal Tire Wear
If your wheels are properly aligned, your tires should wear the same on all sides. When you have a problem with the tie rods, the tire wears more on the edges than in the center.
If you have an issue with your tires losing pressure and uneven wear, visit the mechanic today. There are a number of problems that could explain uneven wear. At a minimum, you need to realign the wheels for better fuel economy.
6) The Vehicle Vibrates
Everyone likes to shake, rattle, and roll on the dance floor. However, when your car tries to join in the action, it becomes annoying. If your car is vibrating violently, then your tie rods are probably hanging on by a thin and dangerous thread.
If they haven’t failed yet, they will soon.
If this happens to you, pull the car over to the side of the road and call for help. Driving with broken tie rod ends is extremely dangerous. If one of them comes off, you will completely lose control of that side of the car.