What are the symptoms of a faulty steering tie rod?

[VonRiley]

The symptoms of a faulty steering tie rod are: 1. Abnormal knocking noise on bumpy roads; 2. Unstable vehicle swaying left and right; 3. Braking deviation; 4. Steering failure. The steering gear is the most important component for the steering function of a car and a crucial guarantee for driving safety. The method to replace the steering tie rod is: 1. Remove the dust cover of the car's steering tie rod; 2. Remove the connecting screw between the tie rod and the steering knuckle; 3. Disconnect the ball joint between the tie rod and the steering gear; 4. Remove the old tie rod and install a new car steering tie rod; 5. Tighten the dust cover; 6. Perform a four-wheel alignment for the car.

[StEli]

When the tie rod in my car had issues last time, the most noticeable feeling was that the steering wheel became heavier, requiring more effort to turn. When driving straight, the car kept pulling to one side, and if I let go of the steering wheel, it would veer into the next lane in less than 10 seconds. The scariest part was when going over speed bumps or potholes—the chassis would make a 'clunking' metal impact noise, and the steering wheel would shake. One day, I noticed the inner side of the tire was worn into a jagged pattern, which made me realize the severity of the problem. The mechanic said the tie rod end was loose, causing misalignment of the front wheels. He warned that continuing to drive could not only ruin the tires but also risk sudden axle failure. I ended up spending 900 to replace the entire tie rod assembly that same day.

[ReaganRose]

After driving trucks for twenty years, I know all about tie rod failures. The initial symptom is increased steering wheel play—when you gently wiggle the wheel, there's about half a finger's width of movement, but the wheels don't respond. It's most noticeable at medium to high speeds; the truck drifts left and right unpredictably, and you feel a dragging sensation in the front wheels when cornering. Once, while on a delivery run, I heard a metallic 'hissing' sound from the chassis. After stopping to check, I found the tie rod boot was torn, and the lubricant had leaked out, causing the ball joint to grind dry. If you don't replace it promptly, steering becomes increasingly heavy, and the truck is prone to losing control, especially in rainy conditions. Now, during every maintenance check, I have the mechanic inspect the tie rod ball joints—it's a matter of life and death.

[ChristopherFitz]

Last week, I noticed a slight 'clicking' sound when turning the steering wheel. After taking it to the repair shop, it was found that the tie rod was damaged. The mechanic said typical symptoms also include the vehicle pulling to one side during straight-line driving, requiring constant steering correction. The steering wheel vibrates noticeably on bumpy roads, and the tires show irregular wear. In severe cases, there's a metallic snapping sound when turning the wheel. The most dangerous scenario is when the steering suddenly becomes heavy at high speeds, affecting control. It's recommended to get it checked immediately if you hear unusual noises or experience pulling. Replacing it with an original tie rod only costs around 500 yuan.