What are the symptoms of a bad tie rod end in a car?
3 Answers
Balance rod end damage will cause noise when driving on rough roads, but no abnormal sounds will occur when driving on paved roads. The relevant introduction of the balance rod is as follows: Balance rod suppresses body roll: When the left and right wheels of the car pass over different road bumps or potholes, it generates anti-roll resistance (Roll-Resistance), which suppresses body roll. Balance rod classification: Front lower control arm balance rod (original car essential accessory), toe balance rod (original car essential accessory), front shock absorber tower top balance rod (commonly known as "top bar" in Hong Kong and Macau, optional accessory), front cross member balance rod (commonly known as "front lower bar", optional accessory), etc.
I've seen plenty of tie rod end failures in my auto repair career. The most obvious symptom is an extremely loose steering wheel – you'll feel unstable when turning, and the car constantly pulls to one side, especially drifting to the opposite side when driving straight. It's even more dangerous at highway speeds: the steering wheel shakes violently, and you'll notice uneven tire wear (the left side wears out much faster than the right). You'll often hear creaking noises when turning the wheel, like internal parts are grinding. If not repaired promptly, the ball joint could completely detach, leading to total steering failure – and that's no joke. I advise everyone to get it checked at the shop immediately when detected. Replacing a new tie rod end is usually inexpensive, but it could save your life.
I've been driving for several years, and it was really scary when I first encountered a bad tie rod end. The symptoms were an extremely loose steering wheel, inaccurate steering, and the car constantly pulling to the left or right, especially when turning or on bumpy roads. Over time, the tire wear became noticeably uneven, with one side worn bald while the other side remained new. What's more annoying was the strange noises—every time I turned the steering wheel, there was a clicking sound, which made driving unsettling. I almost had an accident because I couldn't control the veering. In the end, I spent a little money to replace the tie rod end, and everything was fine. I recommend everyone regularly check their chassis components, especially for older cars.
