What are the symptoms of a bad tie rod end?
2 Answers
Symptoms of a damaged tie rod end: There will be abnormal noises on uneven roads. Unstable driving. Excessive steering wheel play. Below is related information about tie rods: Classification: Tie rods are divided into steering drag links and tie rod ends. The steering drag link is responsible for transmitting the movement of the steering arm to the steering knuckle arm; the tie rod end is the base of the steering trapezoidal mechanism and is a key component to ensure the correct movement relationship between the left and right steering wheels. Composition: The automotive tie rod is mainly composed of: ball joint assembly, nut, tie rod assembly, left telescopic rubber boot, right telescopic rubber boot, self-tightening spring, etc.
There are quite a few symptoms when the tie rod end is worn out. You'll feel the steering wheel loose and wobbly while driving, especially when turning or going over bumps. Turning may produce squeaking or clunking noises, like metal grinding, sometimes accompanied by knocking sounds. Tire wear becomes uneven, with one side wearing out faster than the other, directly increasing tire replacement costs. The handling becomes unstable, and the car tends to pull to one side when driving straight, which is more dangerous at high speeds. I recommend getting it checked at a repair shop as soon as you notice these issues, otherwise it may damage other steering components, making repairs more troublesome.