Toyota Tie Rod End: Securing the Wheels and your Drive

By:amanda nealy




The steering system is designed for the maneuvering of every vehicle. Through steering, drivers are able to guide the front wheels to turn to the desired direction. Inside the auto cabin, the most visible parts of the steering system are the steering wheel and the column. The column will protrude out into the engine trunk and connect to the steering hub assembly. In many power steering vehicles like Toyota, the steering hub assembly is connected to a rack and pinion. On both ends of the rack and pinion assembly is the Toyota Tie Rod. The front wheels are connected to the tie rod via the Toyota Tie Rod End that would allow for the manipulation of the vehicle’s front wheels. Without the tie rod end, there is no way for the front wheels to be guided by the driver because it would be very difficult for the steering rack and pinion to be connected directly to the wheels.

The tie rod in a Toyota vehicle is a single unit which has a Toyota Tie Rod End on both ends. This is connected to the steering rack and has a threaded adjusting sleeve so that the length of the rod can be adjusted. This adjustment is necessary for the alignment of the front wheels. When the vehicle seems to wander in the street, has erratic steering, and causes excessive tire wear, it means that the tie rod end is already worn-out. Nevertheless, it would not be difficult to replace the worn-out tie rod end. Once the new tie rod end is installed, it is important to undertake a front wheel alignment so that the auto’s tires will not easily wear out. A loose or worn-out tie rod end will cause a feathered wear pattern on the front wheels. To detect whether the tie rod ends are already worn-out, raise the front of the vehicle off the ground. By simply rocking the front wheels back and forth, knowing when the tie rod end is already worn-out will be easy. The manifestation will be a free play in the wheels. As part of the proper maintenance of the Toyota vehicle, the worn-out Toyota Tie Rod End should be replaced with a new one in order to attain a good steering control. Any vehicle will never be safe on the road if the steering control is bad.

The Toyota Tie Rods which are made of solid steel will take a long time to wear. They serve as bridge to transfer force to the steering knuckle that moves the wheel. A bad tie rod can be the source of loose or wobbly steering and poor handling that will put the life of the vehicle’s occupants at risk for any accident. A clunking sound coming from the front wheels would also indicate a faulty tie rod. This sound is very evident when making a turn. It is important not to wait anymore for a severe incident to happen before making a move. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, so replacing any worn-out part of the steering system is vital. And other than replacement, proper installation is also critical.

About the author:
Amanda Nealy is a 26-year-old proprietor of a local car rental service in Montgomery, Alabama. Amanda is the daughter of an automobile designer, and inherited her father's passion for cars of all kinds. Know more about Toyota Tie Rod End.