Symptoms of a Bad Inner Tie Rod End in a Car?
2 Answers
When turning, you may hear a clicking sound; you may feel excessive play in the steering, leading to unstable steering while driving. In mild cases, it can cause steering instability, while in severe cases, it may lead to sudden wheel detachment, especially at high speeds. Below is an introduction to the tie rod end: 1. The tie rod is a crucial component in a car's steering mechanism, directly affecting the vehicle's handling stability, operational safety, and tire lifespan. 2. Tie rods are divided into two types: the straight tie rod and the lateral tie rod. The straight tie rod transmits the movement of the steering arm to the steering knuckle arm, while the lateral tie rod forms the base of the steering trapezoidal mechanism, ensuring the correct motion relationship between the left and right steering wheels. 3. The tie rod end is a rod with a ball joint housing. The ball joint of the steering spindle is placed inside the ball joint housing, and the ball joint is hinged to the edge of the housing's axial hole via a ball seat at its front end. Needle rollers between the ball seat and the steering spindle are embedded in the inner groove of the ball seat, reducing ball joint wear and enhancing the spindle's tensile resistance. 4. The outer tie rod end refers to the hand tie rod end, while the inner tie rod end refers to the steering gear tie rod end. The outer and inner tie rod ends are not connected but work together. The steering gear tie rod end connects to the steering knuckle, while the hand tie rod end connects to the parallel rod. 5. A loose lateral tie rod end can cause the car to pull to one side, uneven tire wear, steering wheel vibration, and in severe cases, detachment of the tie rod end, leading to sudden wheel detachment. It is recommended to replace it promptly to avoid safety hazards.
I've been driving for almost 20 years, and if the inner tie rod end is broken, the symptoms are quite obvious. The first thing you'll notice is a creaking noise when turning, feeling like something is rubbing underneath the steering wheel, especially more screeching at low speeds. The car will feel floaty when driving, particularly at high speeds on straight roads or over bumpy surfaces, with the steering wheel shaking as if it's loose, making the whole vehicle unstable, almost like the tires are bouncing around. Tire wear will also accelerate, with misaligned wheels being a typical consequence. When I was younger, I neglected a car with this issue, and the delayed steering response nearly caused an accident. So once you spot these signs, don't delay—head straight to the repair shop to replace the part. Safety comes first, otherwise, the repairs will be more expensive and time-consuming.
