Tie Rod Maintenance

by Partsavatar
16 minutes read

How To Extend Tie Rod Service Life

The inner and outer tie rods in your car serve many important functions and therefore must be kept in proper working condition to get the best performance from your ride and also maximize safety. Keeping them in top shape is going to help you drive better, safely and with confidence. Let us look at a few simple servicing tricks to prevent rapid or premature failure and extend tie rod lifespan.

1. Regular Greasing

2. Regular Inspection

3. Careful Driving

Preventative Maintenance For Tie Rods

If you have installed brand new tie rods or are still sporting your factory tie rods, it is important to maintain them in the best working condition. This can be achieved by following a few measures mentioned below.

1. Regular Greasing

The ball joints that are serviceable meaning that have a grease fitting must be lubricated regularly. Grease prevents rapid deterioration of the ball stud due to wear and tear and extends its life. When fresh grease is added through the grease valve, the old grease that contains contaminants and moisture is replaced. This ensures the stud is free from corrosion and the debris is pushed away from the stud thus minimizing undue wear. Greasing must be carried out every time you go for an oil change. Grease all the ball joints including the suspension joints.

However, it is important to carry out this step properly. Adding excess grease into the ball joint can rupture the dust boot and adding too little won’t help lubricate the joint. Also using the right quality and grade of grease is essential. Refer to the owner’s manual for more information on the right grease type. Make sure you clean the valve before attaching the grease gun as it may allow contaminants to enter through the grease fitting.

2. Regular Inspection

Another way to prolong tie rod life is to regularly inspect them. If you notice any symptoms of failing tie rods then you have all the more reason to investigate the components. Sometimes the symptoms may not be directly apparent like uneven tire wear may not be easily recognizable. In which case an inspection will provide a much better insight into the tie rod condition. Inspection can also be done along with every oil change or vehicle servicing. Follow these few steps mentioned in this guide to analyze and inspect the tie rods on your car.

3. Careful Driving

Driving carefully can help extend and even prevent tie rod failure. While this is true for any vehicle components, it becomes quite important when it comes to the tie rods. Tie rods are directly connected to the wheels and when the vehicle goes over potholes and bumps, the shock from the impact can jerk these parts. Although tie rods come with ball joints to allow movement in such situations, regular exposure to harsh conditions can deteriorate the ball joints faster. Curbing or hitting curbs can also damage tie rods. Gentle driving is one easy way to ensure the various components have a longer service life.

If the condition of your tie rods is severe then it is best to replace it with new ones. Refer to our tie rod installation guide to follow a step by step procedure to replace both inner and outer tie rods. However, before you start the replacement process you will need to get new tie rods. Thankfully, we have compiled a simple and easy guide to buying tie rods that can help you buy the right tie rods for your vehicle from the best brands.

Tie Rod Buying Guide	A guide to help you buy tie rods for your vehicle
Tie Rod Installation Guide	Symptoms and diagnosis of tie rod failure and how to replace them
Sway Bar Buying Guide	Everything you need to know about sway bars