What Are Tie Rods on a Car?
Tie rods connect your car’s wheels to its steering gear and are a crucial component of your vehicle’s steering system. Here’s the full breakdown.
Written by John Davis
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Tie rods are a vital part of the steering system on many modern cars. They connect your vehicle's steering rack to its wheels and allow you to turn your car with the steering wheel.
The steering and suspension systems are essential for the proper function of any car. Not only do these systems help us steer our vehicles, but they also assist in shock absorption and provide a smoother and more comfortable ride. Tie rods are a critical component of most modern suspension and steering systems—they're also one of the most commonly replaced and serviced front suspension parts.
You're in the right place if you're curious about tie rods and how they work. We put together this handy
car repair
guide to cover everything you need to know about this small but vital car part so you can enjoy a new level of confidence and knowledge behind the wheel. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat are tie rods on a car?
The primary function of a vehicle's tie rods is to connect the wheels to the steering rack and pinion gear. They have two parts—commonly referred to as the inner and outer tie rod ends—and assist with steering control and wheel alignment.
The inner tie rod ends connect to the rack and pinion steering gear, while the outer tie rod ends connect to the steering knuckles on which the front wheels pivot. The two tie rod ends connect to each other via threaded sections, and they can be manually adjusted during a front-end alignment.
MORE: What is a car suspension system?
What are the signs of failing tie rods?
Bad tie rods can lead to a variety of problems for your car, some of which can result in costly repairs or dangerous driving conditions. It's essential to understand the signs of worn tie rods so that you can take action immediately. Here's a list of the most common symptoms of bad tie rod ends.
Uneven tire wear
If you notice the tread on your front tires is wearing unevenly, it's most likely a sign that your car is out of alignment due to a suspension problem. One of the most common causes of this issue is a worn-out tie rod end.
When your car's suspension system is in good shape, the weight of your vehicle is evenly spread out over the tires' surface area. However, when there's a malfunction—like a damaged tie rod—the vehicle's alignment suffers and frequently leads to uneven tire wear.
The car is out of alignment
If your car is out of alignment, you will almost definitely notice uneven tire wear. As vital components of your vehicle's steering system, tie rods play a direct role in the car's alignment. If your vehicle is out of alignment, you'll probably also notice that it pulls to one side of the road.
Steering issues
When your car's steering system is in good condition, the steering wheel should feel tight and responsive. If you're experiencing a shaky steering wheel or there's a lot of play in the wheel when you turn it, there's likely a problem with your car's steering system. While many faulty steering components can cause this issue, damaged tie rods are one of the most common culprits.
Clunking noises or shaking
When your tie rods begin to fail, the first thing you'll likely notice is a shaky or vibrating steering wheel. You might also notice unusual sounds, like clunking or rattling, especially when turning at low speeds.
As tie rods wear, they can become loose at the joints and linkages, resulting in a rattling or clunking sound.
The wheel feels loose, or you hear a popping sound
You can check the condition of your tie rods by lifting the car and shaking the wheel from side to side. To do this, simply use a jack to raise the vehicle. Then, grab the wheel on either side and move it back and forth—next, shake the tire up and down with your hands on the top and bottom of the tire.
If you feel a popping sensation in the tire or the wheel feels loose, or if you hear any popping or clunking sounds, there's a good chance the tie rod is bad.
Common causes of tie rod failure
Tie rods are designed to last for many years, and some drivers may never have to replace theirs. That said, they are a wear-and-tear item, meaning they are subject to degradation over time and can fail after many years of use. If you drive an older vehicle or a car with many miles, there's a greater chance that you'll need to replace your tie rods at some point.
However, tie rod failure is usually the result of hitting something like a curb or driving over large potholes. If you recently hit a bad pothole or curb and are now experiencing a shaky wheel or strange noises, the smartest thing to do is take your car to the dealership or auto repair shop as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Can you drive with a broken tie rod?
While you can drive with a worn-out tie rod, we don't recommend doing so. That's because driving with a bad tie rod will likely cause uneven tire wear and can lead to more severe damage. Additionally, if your tie rod is extremely damaged or completely broken, you probably won't be able to drive your vehicle at all due to an inability to steer the car safely.
What can you do to prevent tie rods from failing?
Preventing your tie rods from failing is essentially as simple as driving carefully and regularly getting your car's alignment checked.
Since most tie rod damage is caused by hitting a pothole or curb, you can prolong the life of your tie rods by driving carefully and avoiding these obstacles. You can further protect your tie rods by ensuring that your car remains aligned properly by getting the alignment checked every time you
rotate your tires
. How much does it cost to replace a tie rod?
The cost to replace your tie rods will depend largely on your vehicle type and your location. The replacement part should cost around $40 to $80. Factor in the cost of labor, and you're likely looking at a total cost between $140 and $230.
But the new part and labor aren't the only expenses you'll face if you need a tie rod replacement. Any time you replace a tie rod on your car, you'll need to perform a front-end alignment. That's because when you replace a tie rod, you alter the vehicle's alignment—if a skilled technician doesn't adjust the alignment following the tie rod replacement, the new part might become damaged, and you'll likely experience severely uneven tire wire.
You can expect an alignment to cost between $50 and $150.
Does car insurance cover tie rod replacement?
If your tie rod breaks or fails due to age or normal wear and tear, your insurance policy will not cover the replacement cost. However, if you're involved in a covered accident, and your tie rod is damaged as a result of the crash, your insurance company might help cover the repair costs.
That's why it's so critical to select a quality plan that includes
comprehensive coverage
and collision insurance
. If you don't have these forms of protection, you'll likely have to cover your car's repair costs after a collision or other covered incident on your own. "Jerryis the future of car insurance! I downloaded the app, entered the information, picked my insurance rate, and paid my fee. I even switched insurance providers easily! Jerry saved me $182/month so quickly!" —Paulina F.
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