How do tie rods work?
Tie rods are an integral part of your vehicle’s steering. Just as its name suggests, a tie rod ties your vehicle’s steering rack to the steering arm. The steering arm is attached to the wheel. There are two types of steering systems: rack-and-pinion steering and re-circulating ball or mechanical steering. A rack-and-pinion steering system is a very simple operation. When you turn your steering wheel, a pinion gear, which is attached to your steering shaft, will roll along the steering rack. The steering rack, attached to both front wheels, will move according to how you turn your wheel. The tie rods are responsible for transmitting the force from the steering rack to the steering arm and moving the wheel. The re-circulating ball or mechanical steering system is a little bit more complex than the rack-and-pinion system. The mechanical system includes a gearbox. When you turn your wheel, your steering shaft will set several gears in motion that control the pitman arm. The pitman arm moves the steering rack according to how you steer. Again, like in the rack-and-pinion system, the steering rack is connected to the tie rods, which are connected to the steering arms. The tie rods are the connection from your steering system to your wheels. These two systems, however complex, contain a very simple, yet important part, the tie rod. Tie rods play a crucial role in your steering system. Without tie rods, your steering system would fail. Tie rods are the pivot point between your steering system and your steering arm and wheel. The outer tie rod end is adjustable. This means that you can change the length of the tie rod to fix your vehicle’s alignment. As you can see, the simple tie rods are very important. They are responsible for moving your wheels when you steer and for making turning possible.
Why should tie rods be replaced?
Over time, tie rods wear and eventually fail. Worn tire rods can cause wandering, difficult steering and excessive tire wear. Tie rod ends should also be checked. Inner tie rod ends connect to the steering rack, and outer tie rod ends connect to the steering arms. Loose tie rod ends can lead to pulling, excessive and uneven tire wear on the inner and outer sides of a tire, and dangerous driving conditions.
When should your tie rods be replaced?
Your vehicle’s steering system should be checked regularly, at least once a year. If you are experiencing pulling, wandering, or difficult steering, you should have your vehicle’s tie rods and steering system checked. You can check for worn tie rods by raising the front end of your vehicle and moving the front wheels back and forth. If there is excessive movement or any free play, you should have your tie rods checked. You can also check for bad tie rod ends. When your vehicle is parked, turn your steering wheel back and forth, and if you hear a clunking noise, your tie rod ends may be loose or worn. Two other signs of bad tie rods include front-end vibrations and noise. Also, if your steering wheel doesn’t return to center, you should have your tie rods checked. This early maintenance can prevent further damage and dangerous driving conditions.
