What are the symptoms of a broken steering tie rod ball joint in a car?
2 Answers
Steering tie rod ball joint failure symptoms in a car: 1. Rattling noise when driving on bumpy roads; 2. Vehicle instability with side-to-side sway; 3. Braking deviation; 4. Steering failure. The steering tie rod is a crucial component in a vehicle's steering system, directly affecting driving stability, operational safety, and tire lifespan. Steering tie rods are categorized into two types: the steering drag link and the steering tie rod. The steering drag link transmits motion from the steering arm to the steering knuckle arm, while the steering tie rod serves as the base of the steering trapezoidal mechanism, ensuring proper movement coordination between the left and right steering wheels.
Last time I went on a long-distance drive, I encountered the issue of the steering wheel shaking uncontrollably. Upon inspection, it turned out the tie rod end was completely worn out. When this part fails, the steering wheel becomes extremely loose, and you can hear a clunking noise from under the front wheels when going over speed bumps, as if something is hitting the chassis. The most dangerous part is when taking sharp turns at high speed—the steering suddenly feels vague, and the car wobbles left and right like it's drunk. The tires also suffer, wearing out much faster on the inside. Once, on a provincial road, the steering wheel suddenly went limp, as if its bones had been removed, scaring me into pulling over immediately. After towing it to the repair shop and taking it apart, we found the dust boot on the ball joint was completely cracked, and all the grease had leaked out. Seriously, don't push your luck—if the steering feels off, get it checked right away.
