One of the most essential features for safety and control in any vehicle is the steering wheel and every part attached to it. That includes the tie rods. As those tie rods wear down and need to be replaced, it can affect your steering and the overall control of your vehicle. Let’s look at what tie rods are, what they do, how they work, and how you can spot issues before you’re left stranded.
Your car’s tie rods, located at each front wheel, link the steering gear with the steering knuckle. All steering systems rely on the tie rod end for proper steering function. That includes rack and pinion steering systems as well as recirculating ball types.
Tie rods, including the inner tie rod under the rubber boot as well as the outer tie rod, are a critical component of your steering system. They connect the steering gear to the steering knuckle. Their health is directly tied to your vehicle’s alignment, tire wear, and overall handling. That’s why it’s so important to get yours visually inspected with every tire rotation or at least a couple of times a year. This can help catch issues early before other damage occurs.
Identifying failing tie rods early can help prevent steering failure and expensive repairs. If you notice any of these symptoms while driving, book an appointment at your local Les Schwab.
A loose steering wheel, often described as "play," can signal worn tie rods. If your steering wheel feels loose, get to Les Schwab for a free visual inspection of your tie rod ends.
Uneven wear on your front wheels could mean your vehicle is out of alignment. It could also be a loose tie rod.
Quick, sharp sounds from the front wheels while turning could be an indication of failing tie rod ends.
Tie rods that are too worn can cause your alignment to go out quickly — even weeks after a full alignment.
A loose tie rod can cause a steering wheel to shake or vibrate.
Les Schwab offers free visual inspections to evaluate your steering and suspension components. That includes your tie rods. Our trained professionals can take a look and determine if your vehicle requires an alignment or the replacement of worn tie rods or other parts.
Our trained professionals do more than come running when you pull into our parking lot. Right away, they’ll ask all the right questions to fully understand what you need and how they can help.
When it comes to tie rods, we look for:
Damaged tie rods can affect your overall steering. Worse yet, a broken tie rod can cause one of your wheels to completely turn to the right or left. Usually, this results in your vehicle quickly slowing to a permanent stop. Les Schwab checks tie rods for rust, deterioration, as well as loose parts that can impact your overall control and safety. Book an appointment today and we’ll start with your alignment as well as tire wear to pinpoint possible tie rod issues.
Imagine driving down the highway when suddenly, your steering wheel starts to shake, or your car begins to pull unexpectedly to one side. These could be signs that your tie rod ends—small yet essential components in your steering system—are worn out.
Tie rod ends are critical components of a vehicle's steering system. They connect the steering rack (or center link) to the steering knuckle on each front wheel, allowing the wheels to turn when you move the steering wheel. Each tie rod assembly typically has two tie rod ends (inner and outer) that help transfer steering force from the steering rack to the wheels. Here's a closer look at each part:
Tie rod ends are what links your vehicle’s steering system to the wheels, so every turn of the steering wheel is precisely executed by your vehicle. When you turn the wheel, the steering rack or box pushes or pulls on the inner tie rods, which transfer motion to the outer tie rods and, ultimately, the wheels.
Flexible ball joints in some tie rod ends help give you smooth steering over bumps and dips in the road while maintaining wheel alignment. Working in sync with your vehicle steering system, tie rod ends are essential for precise control and stable handling every time you drive.
Zegao Machinery Product Page
When tie rod ends are worn, they lose their ability to firmly grip and control the movement of the wheels. This can make the steering feel loose or unresponsive, as if the steering wheel doesn’t immediately control the wheels.
Unresponsive steering is most noticeable during sharp turns or quick maneuvers and can make handling feel unpredictable, compromising control over the vehicle.
When worn or bent tie rod ends have less control over how your vehicle moves it can lead to uneven tire wear. Keep an eye out for one part of the tire (usually the inside or outside edge) wearing faster than the rest. This uneven wear pattern, sometimes called "feathering" or "cupping," could be a sign that tires are not staying flat on the road surface or pointing in the right direction.
Uneven tire wear not only reduces tire life but also impacts handling. You may notice a rougher, noisier ride when you drive on tires with uneven tire wear. Spotting this warning sign early can help you prevent further suspension and steering issues by inspecting the tie rods.
Feeling your steering wheel rumble and shake when you drive? As a tie rod end loosens or wears out, it may cause the wheels to shimmy or vibrate and these vibrations can transfer up to the steering wheel. This is often more noticeable at higher speeds or when driving on uneven road surfaces.
Vibrations typically worsen as the tie rod wear increases, so don’t ignore it. A shaky steering wheel could be a sign of serious steering issues, not to mention driving with a shaky steering wheel can cause fatigue and affect your focus on the road. Taking your vehicle in for service early can help prevent potential safety hazards and further damage to your vehicle suspension or alignment.
Bad tie rod ends develop looseness or play in the joint, which can lead to clunking or popping sounds, especially when making tight turns or driving over bumps. The loud clunking is actually the tie rod end moving excessively within its housing.
You won’t just hear it, you may be able to feel it too. The noise can often be felt as a slight jolt through the steering wheel. Prevent further wear on other suspension and steering components and address loose tie rods early so you can drive safely on the road.
No, driving with worn tie rod ends is not safe. Worn or damaged tie rod ends can lead to loose or unpredictable steering, increased tire wear, and potentially even loss of control over the vehicle.
If the tie rod ends are severely worn, they can even break, leading to complete loss of steering for the affected wheel. If you suspect something is off with your steering, take your vehicle in for service as soon as possible.
Tie rod ends typically last several years, but this can vary widely depending on driving conditions, road quality, and whether the vehicle is frequently driven over uneven or rough terrain.
Regular inspections, especially when alignment is checked, can help catch any early signs of wear.
Yes, it’s recommended to perform a wheel alignment after replacing tie rod ends. Changing tie rod ends can affect the vehicle’s alignment, causing uneven tire wear and poor handling if not corrected.
Include a wheel alignment service with a tie rod replacement so you can be confident your wheels are properly aligned for safety and optimal performance.
It’s generally a good idea to replace both tie rod ends on the same axle (left and right) at the same time, even if only one appears to be worn. Replacing a pair of tie rods at the same time helps ensure even wear and balanced handling, plus if one tie rod is worn it’s likely the other tie rod end is close to needing replacement as well.
However, replacing tie rods across both axles at once (front and rear) is not necessary, because the rear of most vehicles typically will not have tie rods unless your vehicle specifically has rear-wheel steering.
Don’t let worn tie rod ends compromise your safety or driving experience. If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, visit your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for a thorough inspection. Our expert technicians will ensure your steering components are in top shape, so you can drive confidently and safely. Schedule your appointment today!