The Ultimate Tie Rod Buying Guide

1 What Are Tie Rods?

The front wheels of the car are connected to the steering knuckle which in turn is connected to the steering rack with a set of shafts or rods on either side. There are two rods on both sides: Inner and outer tie rods. The outer tie rod is often referred to as the tie rod end. A tie rod is a device that links your car’s steering knuckle to the steering rack on the front wheel. The out and inner ends of the tie rod surround an adjusting sleeve. When you rotate your steering wheel, it activates movement throughout the mechanism. The rods pull or push the wheel and make it turn.

The tie rod end consists of a ball joint on the end where it attaches to the knuckle. This ball joint allows horizontal movement of the wheels and provides a pivot point for the steering knuckle. The rounded area contains multiple bearings that provide the ability to steer even when you operate your vehicle on bumpy terrain.

Every vehicle, regardless of the type of steering system – linkage or pinion and rack, uses tie rods to connect the steering knuckle to the steering rack. Apart from the intended horizontal steering of the wheels, the tie rods also provide a means to adjust the alignment of the vehicle. The inner tie rod usually consists of an adjustable threaded sleeve that can be used to alter the toe-in/toe-out of both wheels. 

A damaged tie rod or worn-out tie rod ball joint can hinder the movement of the wheels which can result in loss of control over the vehicle and a decline in safety. 

Where are Tie Rods Located?

The tie rods are part of the front suspension and steering system of a vehicle. They link the steering wheel to the front wheels and are located between the front wheels. Tie rods come in two parts, the inner tie rod and the outer tie rod. The inner tie rod connects to the steering gear, while the outer tie rod connects to the steering knuckle.

If you are experiencing issues with your vehicle’s steering, such as excessive play or vibrations, it may be time to replace the inner and outer tie rods. It is recommended to replace both the inner and outer tie rods at the same time to ensure that the steering system is functioning correctly. Replacing only one tie rod can cause uneven wear on the tires and lead to further damage to the steering system.

How Many Tie Rods Does a Car Have?

The number of tie rods in a car depends on the make and model of the vehicle. Generally, most cars have two tie rods, one for each front wheel. These tie rods are located on either side of the steering rack and connect the steering knuckle to the steering gear. Each tie rod has an inner and outer tie rod end, making a total of four tie rod ends.

However, there are exceptions. Some cars may have additional tie rods, such as three in the rear, depending on the type of suspension system.

Inner Vs Outer Tie Rod

There are two tie rods for both front wheels. An in-line ball joint makes up the inner tie rod. The inner tie rods are pivot points and are attached to the end of the center link. It is located closer to the centerline of the vehicle and is accordingly named “inner tie rod.” The inner tie rod is the first pivot point initiating the wheel to turn. 

A right-angled ball joint makes up the outer tie rod. The steering knuckle is attached to the outer tie rod. The outer tie rod is what turns the wheel. It is the final pivot point initiating the wheel to turn. From the center of the vehicle, it is located farther out than the inner rod and is accordingly named “outer tie rod.

Inner tie rods allow the suspension to operate independently without affecting the direction of the vehicle. Inner tie rods have extra connection threads. The outer tie rod consists of a sleeve with internal or external threads dispensing on the design, that attach to the inner tie rod. This adjustable threaded sleeve connects the two tie rods. Increasing or decreasing the length helps adjust the toe settings and align the wheels. This adjustable sleeve is used when wheel alignment is carried out. 

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2 What Are The Things I Should Consider When Buying New Tie Rods?

There are a few pointers to keep in mind when buying tie rod ends to ensure your purchase is an exact match for your vehicle and lives up to or exceeds OEM standards for a fair price. 

Compatibility

Most tie rod ends are vehicle specific so finding one that is meant for your vehicle is necessary for a precise fit. Finding the right size for tie rods is critical as the wheel alignment is affected by it. Modern cars come with adjustable sleeves that allow altering the toe angles for accurate alignment. This is not the case for many older model vehicles, as they originally come with non-adjustable tie rods. In such cases, you can opt for aftermarket tie rods with an adjustable sleeve to have more control over the wheel alignment. 

OE Vs Heavy-Duty

Tie rods can be distinguished based on their construction. The most important section of the tie rod end is the ball joint. The construction of the ball joints can be enhanced to offer more rigidity and strength for long-lasting and more high-stress applications like off-road vehicles and track cars. These severe duty ball joints have sturdier designs with thicker gauge steel and undergo rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand harsher conditions compared to their OE counterparts. The internal components of the ball joints, like the bearing and spring, are also made of metal which wears much slower than the plastic, giving it longer service life. 

If you own a pickup, heavy-duty trucks and trailers, off-road or high-performance vehicles, then you can be benefited from the extra strength offered by severe duty tie rods. For daily commute vehicles, compact cars, and sedans OE standard tie rods are more than sufficient for light usage. Refer to the brand’s section and learn about the various features different tie rods offer to find ones suited to your needs. Refer to the brand’s section and learn about the various features different tie rods offer to find ones suited to your needs.

Sealed Or Greasable Ball Joint

The difference between sealed and greaseable ball joints is evident from the name. Sealed ball joints come pre-lubed with grease from the factory and cannot be greased throughout their lifespan. Greaseable ball joints have a zerk fitting or grease valve on the ball joint which can be used to add grease periodically. Greaseable ball joints usually last longer as the lubricant can be refurbished by removing old contaminated grease from the ball joint and adding fresh clean grease. Sealed ball joints mean less trouble for the vehicle owner but also mean the joint will be susceptible to wearing out faster. Most aftermarket tie rods come with grease valves. However, it is important to grease the greasable ball joints regularly or the contaminants within the joint can cause excess wear resulting in a reduced lifespan. 

Brand Choice

This again comes down to personal preferences but those with less idea of the market can refer to the top brand section to understand the features of the bestselling steering and suspension component manufacturers to decide the brand of choice. The mentioned features showcase the fortes of the corresponding brand which can help you decide the right tie rod for your personal application. 

Carrying Out Wheel Alignment

Once the tie rods are replaced it becomes critical to carry our wheel alignment. The tie rods control the toe-in/toe-out of the vehicle and limit the camber angle as well. An out-of-sync tie rod will cause the wheel to sit at an unfavorable angle with the road surface and cause tires to wear unevenly, induce undue stresses on various suspension components, and even harms the tie rod end ball joint. Driving with unaligned wheels is a serious safety issue and can prove dangerous at higher speeds. Have your vehicle aligned after a tie rod replacement to ensure it is working optimally. 

3 What Are The Top Tie Rod Brands I Should Choose From?

Here are the top manufacturers for inner and outer tie rods that produce parts that meet or exceed OEM standards while offering additional benefits to ensure the product lasts longer and performs better so you can corner with confidence. 

Mevotech Tie Rods

Mevotech gives technicians the edge by innovating every chassis component. Mevotech engineers focus on making their parts faster and easier to install and engineer them to provide a longer service life. Employing punishing durability testing, they validate every new design to ensure you get the performance you can trust.

Mevotech Inner Tie Rod Part Numbers: MEV80988, MS86744, MEV80988, MES3527, MEV441, and more

Mevotech Outer Tie Rod Part Numbers: MS90610, MS25610, MES3455, MES3374RL, MS60600, and more

Features:

• Metal design of internal components: Internal metal designs are widely used in the manufacture of Mevotech X Factor tie rod ends. These designs incorporate highly durable upper and lower metal bearings that surround the tie rod end stud and ball joint, and they include grease fittings to allow for grease and lubrication to be injected into the central area to prolong the life of the tie rod end.
• Greaseable: Greasable tie rod ends to enable the joint to be serviced, to flush out old grease and contaminants by injecting new grease during inspection and maintenance routines.
• Black oxide coating: The black oxide coating provides high resistance to variable corrosion factors such as road debris and adverse road and weather conditions, ensuring the prolonged life of the tie rod end.
• Parts are manufactured to meet exact requirements and designed to meet or exceed OE replacement with OEM quality standards at an affordable price. They offer fast and smooth installation and parts can be directly fitted. 

For more, you can visit our Mevotech Steering Component Section

Moog Tie Rods

Backed by superior materials and rigorous testing, MOOG® tie rod ends to deliver the reliable performance you can count on. MOOG problem-solving innovations ensure fast, hassle-free installation.

Moog Inner Tie Rod Part Numbers: EV195, EV260, EV370, DS300003, EV800898, and more

Moog Outer Tie Rod Part Numbers: ES3529, ES3609, ES801074, ES3675, ES3238RL, and more

Features:

• Superior Construction: MOOG® engineered forged steel composition and powdered-metal gusher bearing design enable reduced friction and enhanced strength and stability
• Restores Like-new Steering: Patented pressed-in cover plate seals out debris and minimizes looseness, reducing bearing wear and promoting longer life
• Greaseable Socket: Reduces corrosion and wear by allowing new lubricant to flush contaminants
• Absorbs Impact: Belleville preload washer helps keep the bearing package tight as bearings wear
• Problem Solver® Gusher Bearing: Metal-to-metal design provides strength and allows grease to flow through the bearing surface for reduced friction and long life
• Strong & Durable: Ball studs are heat-treated to match or exceed OE requirements to inhibit premature failure and improve fatigue strength
• Easy To Install: Precision tolerances for easy installation and steering alignment give you a perfect fit right out of the box
• Comprehensive Coverage: Available for foreign and domestic nameplates
• Rigorous Testing: Comprehensive testing throughout design and development processes by MOOG engineers for quality you can count on

For more, you can visit our Moog Steering Component Section

Delphi Tie Rods

Underneath the cataphoresis coating for corrosion protection, Delphi’s tie rod ends (outer tie rods) and inner tie rods are OE-tested to meet your vehicle’s OE specs for alignment. They are fatigue-tested to avoid failure and are supplied with the necessary accessories for a convenient repair job.

Delphi Inner Tie Rod Part Numbers: TA5302, TA2093, TA2759, TA2851, TA2580, and more

Delphi Outer Tie Rod Part Numbers: TA1515, TA1900, TA2306, TA2126, TA2405, and more

Features:

• Fatigue tested to avoid catastrophic failure
• Extensive dimensional and material analysis to ensure the very best compatibility between the OE and aftermarket parts.
• Tested to withstand temperatures below -40ºC and over 120ºC, helping to ensure they perform even under the harshest conditions.
• Parts exposed to 720 hours of salt spray for optimum protection against corrosion.
• Additional cataphoretic coating for greater protection against corrosion and enhanced aesthetics.
• OE engineered 

For more, you can visit our Delphi Steering Component Section

Transit Warehouse Tie Rods

TOR offers a full range of heavy-duty steering and suspension car parts, built for optimal fit and extended service life. Each component is tested throughout the manufacturing process to ensure exceptional performance and reliability. 

Transit Warehouse Inner Tie Rod Parts Numbers: TOR-ES3488, TOR-EV80893, TOR-EV800246, TOR-ES80646, TOR-EV80702, 

and more

Transit Warehouse Outer Tie Rod Parts Numbers: TOR-ES800408, TOR-ES800224, TOR-ES3455, TOR-ES3609, TOR-ES801074, and more

Features:

• Premium quality precision-machined components built to last
• Engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions
• Delivers a smooth, stable ride
• Follows Rigorous Testing Procedures
• Multi-Axis Vibration: to confirm overall design durability
• Impact Resistance: to verify the material’s toughness
• Salt Fogging: to check surface coating corrosion resistance capabilities
• Artificial Ageing: to ensure long-term durability and safety

For more, you can visit our Transit Warehouse Steering Component Section

4 When To Replace Tie Rods?

Tie rods are critical steering system components and are built to last a fairly long time. The main culprit for tie rod failure is the ball joints. The ball joints at either end of the tie rods are always in movement as the wheels are turned and also take some of the impacts as the wheels go over bumps. The constant stresses along with exposure to contaminants and heat can eventually render the components too worn to be used. This usually happens over several hundred kilometers. Most vehicles can go without tie rod replacements for about 150,000 km but some may require replacement much sooner. When the tie rods do fail they will show certain signs of failure. Observing these signs of failure and inspecting them for play and wear can tell a lot about their condition and how much longer they may last. You can carry out tie rod inspection yourself using the directions shown in this guide. One way to extend the tie rod life is to carry out regular inspections and maintenance. Learn more about tie rod maintenance from this article. 

Mevotech Tie Rods – Part Number Catalog
Category	Part Numbers
Inner Tie Rod	MEV80988, MS86744, MEV80988, MES3527, MEV441, MS50776, MDS1287, MEV330, MS40704, MS25732, MS10701
Outer Tie Rod	MS90610, MS25610, MES3455, MES3374RL, MS60600, MS40602, MS60606, MES3492T, TXMS40643, TXMS25606

Moog Tie Rods – Part Number Catalog
Category	Part Numbers
Inner Tie Rod	EV195, EV260, EV370, DS300003, EV800898, EV801147, EV800769, EV800024, EV80893, EV417
Outer Tie Rod	ES3529, ES3609, ES801074, ES3675, ES3238RL, ES80991, ES3616, ES800474, ES2836RL, ES800594

Delphi Tie Rods – Part Number Catalog
Category	Part Numbers
Inner Tie Rod	TA5302, TA2093, TA2759, TA2851, TA2580, TA1464, TA5195, TA5134, TA3039, TA1823, TA5058,
Outer Tie Rod	TA1515, TA1900, TA2306, TA2126, TA2405, TA2909, TA2624, TA5091, TA1588, TA2476, TA1583, TA2788, TA1970

Transit Warehouse Tie Rods – Part Number Catalog
Category	Part Numbers
Inner Tie Rod	TOR-ES3488, TOR-EV80893, TOR-EV800246, TOR-ES80646, TOR-EV80702, TOR-EV800576, 72-EV405, TOR-EV800231, 72-EV800084, TOR-EV80210
Outer Tie Rod	TOR-ES800408, TOR-ES800224, TOR-ES3455, TOR-ES3609, TOR-ES801074,  TOR-ES800403, TOR-ES80574, TOR-ES800474, TOR-ES800913, TOR-ES800478, 72-ES3717, TOR-ES3538

Should I Replace both Inner and Outer Tie Rods?

If you are experiencing issues with your vehicle’s steering, such as excessive play or vibrations, it may be time to replace the inner and outer tie rods. The tie rods are an essential part of the steering system that connects the steering rack to the steering knuckle.

It is recommended to replace both the inner and outer tie rods at the same time to ensure that the steering system is functioning correctly. Replacing only one tie rod can cause uneven wear on the tires and lead to further damage to the steering system.

If you are planning to replace the tie rods yourself, you can find detailed instructions and videos online. However, if you are not comfortable working on your vehicle, it is best to take it to a professional mechanic.