What Is a Tie Rod?

Your Hyundai has numerous components that can have an impact on its performance and safety, one of which is the tie rod. A tie rod plays a vital role in maintaining good handling and steering to ensure your car delivers a reliable driving experience. However, as it wears out over time, you may begin to experience a variety of problems, from loose steering to clunking noises. Find out how a tie rod works and when you should replace it in this comprehensive guide.

What Is a Tie Rod?

Image via Flickr by MSVG

A tie rod refers to a device in a vehicle’s steering system that connects the steering knuckle to the steering linkage or rack and pinion. This combination is the mechanism that moves the front wheels when you turn the steering wheel, so the condition of a tie rod can affect your car’s ability to handle corners. While it may look like a simple device, a tie rod consists of many critical components, including:

• A long shaft that transmits movement to the ball stud in the steering arm.
• A rounded component with bearings that maintains proper steering movement even when you’re driving on bumpy roads.
• A grease fitting that enables the bearings in the housing to spin freely (most tie rods come with this).
• An internal tie rod end that connects to a bearing casing, which is covered with a rubber dust boot.
• A threaded bolt end that links to the steering knuckle.
• A bushing that prevents debris and grit from getting into sensitive internal parts.

How Does a Tie Rod Work?

As its name implies, a tie rod functions to “tie” your car’s steering rack to the steering arm, which is attached to the wheel. It’s found in both rack-and-pinion and recirculating-ball steering systems. A rack-and-pinion steering system is a simple and straightforward operation. When you turn the steering wheel, you’ll cause a pinion gear that’s connected to the steering shaft to roll along the steering rack, which will move according to your steering input. The tie rods transmit this force to the steering arm to move the front wheels.

A recirculating-ball steering system is more complicated than a rack-and-pinion steering system because it comes with a gearbox. When the steering wheel is turned, the steering shaft will set a number of gears in motion to control the pitman arm, which will, in turn, move the steering rack. Again, the tie rods serve as connections between the steering rack and the front wheels. As such, they’ll transmit the steering input to the wheels and cause them to move accordingly.

What Happens When Your Tie Rods Go Bad?

You can continue to drive your Hyundai vehicle even if it has worn tie rods, but it isn’t recommended. Since they’re a vital part of the steering system, they can cause significant damage to other parts of your car if they become faulty. One of the most common problems that result from bad tie rods is misalignment. This can lead to increased tire wear, which means you need to replace them sooner than usual. Also, if one of your tie rods breaks while you’re driving, you won’t be able to steer your car accurately, making you more likely to cause an accident.

When Should You Replace Your Tie Rods?

Similar to most other components of your Hyundai, tie rods can go bad because of wear and tear. They’re meant to last for many years, and some vehicle owners may never need to replace them at all. However, certain factors can have an impact on their longevity. If you regularly drive in poor road conditions or have been involved in an accident, there’s a higher chance that your tie rods need to be replaced. The following are a number of signs indicating it’s time to get new tie rods:

• Uneven tire wear: When your suspension and steering systems are working properly, the weight of your car will be evenly spread out across the contact surfaces of all the tires. As a result, your tires will last longer. Nonetheless, if one of your tie rods is worn out or damaged, your vehicle will pull to one side and cause the tires to wear unevenly.
• Unresponsive steering: Responsive steering is one of the qualities of a well-made car. However, bad tie rods can cause your steering wheel to feel loose. Consequently, you may not be able to accurately interpret how much the front wheels have turned, making it difficult to control your vehicle. Although it may result from other steering or suspension problems, unresponsive steering is a common outcome of worn or broken tie rods.
• Vibrations and clunking noises: When your tie rods aren’t in good condition, one of the first symptoms you’ll notice is a vibrating steering wheel. Additionally, you may hear clunking or rattling sounds, especially when you turn your car at a slow speed. As they wear, tie rods may come loose and start to rattle around at the linkages and joints. If the rubber boot that covers the tie rod’s lubricated joint is torn, dirt and sand may get inside the joint. This causes the lubricant to be displaced, resulting in a grinding sensation when you turn the steering wheel.
• Loose wheel when the vehicle is jacked up: If you have some free time and the necessary tools, you can perform an easy inspection at home. Use a jack to lift your car’s front end and grab one of the front tires with your hands. Hold the wheel at three o’clock and nine o’clock and shake it horizontally. Then, reposition your hands at six o’clock and 12 o’clock and shake the wheel vertically. If the wheel shifts even a little bit or makes a clicking sound, it may be a sign that the tie rod needs to be replaced.

Whether or not you notice any of the aforementioned signs, it’s a good idea to have your Hyundai’s tie rods inspected on a regular basis at the state-of-the-art service center at Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.