Tie rod is an important part of car’s suspension system. You can control your car wheel left and right through tie rod. But how long can you drive on a bad tie rod to decide the next safest steps?
You can’t drive longer than 15 to 20 miles and run the car at high speed with a bad tie rod. If the tie rod is damaged, you won’t be able to turn the vehicle appropriately. The front wheel can come out of the tire if you drive the car over 15 mph speed.
There is also the risk of damaging the expensive components of the car. But you can determine if the tie rod is damaged and solve the problem at home garage cheaply. Let’s discuss briefly.
Article Summary
How Does a Tie Rod Work?
Before determining how long it’s safe to drive with a bad tie rod, it’s important to understand the working principle of the tie rod. This way, you can better realize the effect of driving with a bad tie rod.
The tie rod is an essential part of a vehicle. It connects the steering gear to the ball in a socket, allowing a car to move on a rough road.
Tie rods also help move the side of the tire to side efficiently. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and what it does:
Connecting Steering And Wheels
The tie rod links the steering rack (or steering box) to the steering knuckle of each front wheel, taking the rotational action from the steering wheel and directly transmitting it to the wheels so that the wheels can be pivoted for the steering action.
Translating Steering Input
When the driver turns the steering wheel, the steering gear transfers the motion to make the tie rod push the wheels either further to the left or further to the right, turning the wheels in the intended direction.
Maintaining Proper Alignment
The tie rods help keep all four wheels pointed in the same direction, holding them correctly aligned without wearing out their wheels (this helps to avoid faster wearing of the tires).
The piston also keeps the tie rods in contact with the wheels. Without proper power steering, several issues could arise, such as uneven tire wear, pulling to either side, and an overall poor driving experience.
Absorbing Road Shock
The jointed rods at each end of the tie rods pivot slightly, and this pivoting motion absorbs some of the vibrations that would result from road shocks. This keeps the steering as smooth as possible for the driver.
Today’s vehicles have an inner tie rod connected to the gear and an outer tie rod connected to the steering wheel control. Both tie rods are adjustable.
Tie rods provide a pivot point between the steering arm, steering wheel, and steering rack. So if they wear out, it’ll be impossible to turn the vehicle precisely.
How Long Can You Drive on a Bad Tie Rod?
It usually depends on how loose or bad the tie rod becomes. For example, if the pinch nut on the tie rod becomes loose slightly, the tire will vibrate while driving.
Though driving is risky, you can still run the car to reach a repair shop. Keep in mind that you must drive slowly with the loose tie rod.
But, if the tie rod end comes out from the steering knuckle, you won’t be able to turn the vehicle. It won’t be a good decision to keep driving the car with this problem.
Another possibility is worn out. If the tire rod is worn out, it’ll be unsafe to drive the car, and it can damage the tire over time. Remember, a tie rod is fairly cheaper than tires, and it’s easier to fix as well.
Regarding your query, you can drive your vehicle only for a while and at a maximum of 20 miles and 15 mph speed.
What Happens If a Tie Rod Breaks While Driving?
Tie rods remain alignment to the tires with its adjustment. They maintain the connection between the front tires and steering. When you turn the wheel, the tie rod moves the tire in your desired direction.
If a tie rod breaks while driving, it can lead to dangerous consequences because the steering and control of the vehicle are compromised. Here’s what typically happens:
Loss of Steering Control
And because the tie rod joins the steering mechanism directly to the wheels, a broken tie rod means that one or both front wheels can no longer follow the steering wheel and that can cause an instant, total loss of steering control, particularly on the side at which the tie rod is broken.
Wheel Misalignment or Buckling
If the wheel happens to be the one connected to the broken tie rod, it will no longer be mechanically linked to the steering wheel.
Instead, it may point in a different direction than the other wheels, such that the car might pull sharply to one side, increasing the risk of an accident.
Vibration And Instability
A snapped tie rod causes extreme instability. If one starts to break on the road, it can cause heavy vibrations in the steering wheel, making it difficult to keep your car on course.
Immediate Tire Damage
A crushed tie rod will allow the wheel to wobble back and forth over itself with each revolution, leading to instantly damaged tires, blowouts, or premature wear on other parts, such as the suspension, especially if the wheel is dragging or pointed outward.
Danger of Collision
With no steering, the car cannot avoid obstacles or stay within its lane; no driver would be able to navigate the car safely. This increased risk of collision is particularly high at these high speeds.
But if the tie rods break and you keep driving in this condition, it can cause many consequences. For example, the front wheel can start shaking and cause misalignment, tires can wear out excessively, and steering may become imprecise.
A broken tie rod can cause one tire to fall to the side and cause instant steering loss. Hence, your car can crash, particularly if you drive fast.
It’ll also wear out the car’s tire faster than usual. So you have to replace those tires very soon. A broken tie rod can cause an accident due to inaccurate steering.
It can also cost you criminal charges if you hurt innocents while driving. So, if you experience any sign of a loose or broken tie rod, hire a qualified mechanic to inspect the vehicle.
You can also fix the bad tie issue using a crescent wrench, a hammer, and a small homemade ramp structure.
Risk of Driving with a Bad Tie Rod
Below are some potential dangers you may face if decide to drive with a bad tie rod:
Damage To Components
If the tie rod’s end gets loose, dirt and grime will enter the joints and links. The debris will then mix in the lubricant and increase the risk of friction. The lubricant can also be displaced from the links or joints.
The added friction can cause loud noise and excess vibrations. Finally, it can rust the components and reduce the rigidity of the structure.
Loss of Steering Control
A worn or broken tie rod can cause the steering to become unstable. If it is let go entirely, the wheel it is attached to will not respond at all to the input at the steering wheel, and control of the vehicle will become impossible at best or hazardous at worst, especially if you are traveling at speed or on the road with heavy traffic.
Less Agility
A bad tie rod can cause unresponsive steering. So, your car will no longer be maneuverable even if it is in tip-top shape. You’ll also be at risk of causing an accident while driving the car.
Less Traction
A car’s tire can wear out unevenly due to a bad tie rod, which can cause uneven weight distribution and less traction. So you’ll experience handling issues and be at risk of accidents. It’ll also affect the car’s suspension system and chassis.
Increased Risk of Accidents
With the steering impaired, the chances of an accident become much higher. A bent tie rod tends to jerk the car violently to one side. A failure at speed often leads to an accident, particularly if it occurs on a turn or at highway speeds.
Vibrations And Poor Handling
Usually, a loose tie rod means vibrations in the steering wheel, which makes handling the machine difficult. This becomes especially problematic in adverse weather and dark conditions when controlling a powerful vehicle at low speeds, requiring precise maneuvering.
Risk of Complete Tie Rod Failure
If an untimely break occurs, a failing tie rod might immediately deny the connection between the steering wheel and the wheels, driving the affected wheel one way. In contrast, the others are made to go another, inevitably culminating in an uncontrolled swerve or, worse, a rollover.
How To Determine If a Tie Rod is Bad?
Here are some troubleshooting processes to determine if the tie rod is bad:
Jagged Tire Wear
Rough tire wear is an early sign of a bad tie rod. The reason is that broken tie rods disturb the tire’s weight distribution process and cause irregular contact on the road. It also affects the tire’s alignment negatively.
Clunking Noises And Shaking
The steering wheel’s shaking and vibrating are also symptoms of bad tire rods. You’ll hear a clunking noise while driving your car at low speed.
Loss of Steering
It’s a worse sign of a bad tie rod. You’ll feel the steering looser than usual and must adjust the steering to control the vehicle accurately. It’s a risky sign, particularly if you drive the car at high speeds.
Poor Vehicle Alignment
Bad alignment of a car is a common sign of increased tire wear. If so, your car will start shaking and tend to pull one side, as well as cause driving fatigue.
How To Fix Bad Tie Rod?
You can easily check your car’s tie rod and determine the issue by applying a simple test. Lift your car’s front side off the ground and push the tire. When the tire moves, carefully check for any movement in the joints.
If the tie rod is worn out, you’ll feel the movement. After determining the movement, isolate the cause and determine whether the inner or outer rod has gone bad. Ask your friend to help move the tire while you inspect underneath the car.
Repairing a broken tie rod requires replacing the worn, damaged part. Here’s a procedure:
1. Gather Tools And Materials
Then you’ll need a new tie rod (make sure you buy the right one for your vehicle), a jack and jack stands, a set of wrenches, a tie rod puller tool, pliers, and maybe some penetrating oil.
2. Lift the Vehicle
With caution, jack up the front of the car and place it on the jack stands for safety. Remove the front wheel from the side you are working on, giving you access to the tie rod.
3. Locate And Loosen the Tie Rod
Find the outer tie rod end. It’s typically attached to the steering knuckle. Pour penetrating oil if needed and loosen the tie rod end nut beforehand.
4. Disconnect the Tie Rod
The tie rod puller is now used to remove the outer tie rod from the steering knuckle. The inner tie rod jam nut, connecting the outer and inner tie rods, is loosened, and the tie rod end, which screws into the inner rod, is unscrewed.
5. Install the New Tie Rod
Now screw the new tie rod end into the inner tie rod as close to where the old one was as possible, put the jam nut on, and secure it to the steering knuckle.
6. Reassemble And Align
Re-mount the wheel and hoist the car up. Because the alignment is probably affected, be sure to have the vehicle realigned by a professional afterward.
Replacing a tie rod can improve handling and safety significantly. Sometimes, you can determine the problem by sight, while sometimes, you need to feel.
Load the tie rod by pulling it down. If you notice the movement goes away, the inner tie rod goes bad.
Tie Rod Replacement Cost
Before estimating the repair cost, check the car’s alignment and steering system by yourself or by hiring a professional. You only need to lubricate the system or change the rod bushings instead of replacing the tie rod.
However, if you need to change the inner or outer tie rod, it may cost around $200 to $300. Changing the steering rack and gearbox can cost you around $500 to $1000, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.
Below is a table of various famous vehicle models along with the approximate cost of replacing the tie rod at repair pal:
| Vehicle Name | Cost of replacing tie rod |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $137 to $229 |
| Mazda 3 | Around $121 |
| Ford Fusion | $119 to $157 |
| BMW | $618 to $699 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | $204 to $270 |
| Volvo XC90 | $174 to $203 |
| Hyundai Elantra | $119 to $168 |
| Land Rover Range Rover | $223 to $237 |
| jeep wrangler | $395 to $509 |
FAQs on How Long Can You Drive on a Bad Tie Rod
Can a Bad Tie-rod Cause Your Car To Shake?
A bad tie rod can displace the lubrication which can increase friction between components. Hence, your car can start rattling noise and shaking. The shaking can be more obvious when you turn the vehicle at lower speeds.
How Long Does a Tie Rod Last?
Tie rods are extremely durable and designed to last for several years. You may never need to replace the tie rod if you maintain and drive the car properly. So, you can expect to drive up to 50,000 miles comfortably before replacing the tie rod.
Can You Replace the Bad Tie Rod Yourself?
If you have the skill to repair an automobile, you can easily replace the tie rod in your home garage. Simply raise the vehicle and remove the tire, wheel assembly, and tie-rod end. Then, you can install a new tie rod. Replacing the tie rod doesn’t cost much.
How Long Can You Safely Drive on a Bad Tie Rod?
You really can’t afford to drive on an old tie rod. If you go and drive on an old tie rod that’s either damaged or has excessive wear, it can worsen fairly rapidly. You could lose your steering. So, if your tie rod has excessive wear, you need to get it evaluated immediately.
What Are the Signs of a Bad Tie Rod?
Symptoms of a failing tie rod include a clunking noise while turning, shaking or loose steering, tire wear that’s uneven or harder than it should be, your tires wearing down faster than usual, or a steering alignment skewed in one direction. If you notice any of these signs, have the vehicle checked by a professional mechanic as soon as possible to avoid more serious damage to the suspension and your tires.
Final Words
After knowing how long you can drive on a bad tie rod, I hope you’ll use that invaluable time best. Instead of trying to reach the destination, you should take the car to the nearest auto repair shop.
You can also return to the home garage to fix the issue yourself. But ignoring those signs can cause you severe accidents or expensive repairs. And it isn’t a smart idea when the tie rod replacement cost is fairly cheap.
