A misaligned front end, a wobbly or loose steering wheel, and uneven or excessive tyre wear are all indicators of a malfunctioning tie rod end.
However, because it is used continuously when the vehicle is in motion, this component is prone to high wear and strain. You'll notice a few warning indications when it wears out or fails, which should be inspected by a qualified mechanic at a car maintenance near me garage and replaced if necessary.
The tie rod end, as the name implies, is attached to the tip of the tie rod and connects the vehicle's wheels to the steering and suspension components that allow it to steer. Impact, regular use on uneven roads, or just age can cause tie rod ends to wear out. The bushing is frequently the part of the tie rod end that wears out.
However, you should entirely replace the tie rod end since metal fatigue might cause the part to fail. If your tie rod ends are replaced, make sure the mechanic also does a front-end adjustment, which will ensure your wheels are straight. If you check MOT history of your car, you will most likely realise that a common reason for a MOT test to fail are misaligned wheels.
A worn-out tie rod end, like any other mechanical part, will show a few warning signs or symptoms that the part is malfunctioning and has to be replaced.
A handful of these symptoms are listed below. If you observe any of these symptoms, contact a mechanic as soon as possible by searching online for vehicle service near me garages so they can properly assess the problem and replace any broken parts: