Irrespective of the vehicle you are driving, whether it’s a truck or a passenger car, the steering force applied at the steering wheel is carried to the front wheels via tie rods. The tie rod is an integral part of your vehicle’s steering system that helps you control the vehicle’s direction. Like every other part, tie rods wear with time and have to be replaced. This guide will help you with the tie rod replacement cost, labor cost, wheel alignment, and other factors that determine the overall cost of replacing your tie rods.
What’s a Tire Rod?
A tie rod is a slender structural unit used as a tie and capable of carrying tensile loads only. It is any rod or bar-shaped structural member designed to prevent the separation of two parts, as in a vehicle. In a vehicle, tie rods connect the steering gear to the steering knuckle. They help you stay in control of your vehicle and prevent tire wear and handling problems.
In this article:
1. How Does A Tie Rod Fail?
2. What Is The Cost Of Replacing Tie Rods?
3. Other Parts Related To Tie Rod Replacement
4. Factors That Affect The Cost Of A Tie Rod End
5. When Should I Replace My Tie Rod End?
6. What’s Done During A Tie Rod Replacement?
7. Tips To Remember During A Tie Rod Replacement
8. FAQs
1 How Does A Tie Rod Fail?
Tie rods connect the front wheels with the steering rack assembly. An inner tie rod and an outer tie rod are present on each side of the vehicle. The inner tie rod is attached to the outer tie rod with a threaded and adjustable sleeve so the length can be adjusted to align the front wheels. Each of these has a ball socket on the outer tie rod end that allows the wheels to pivot left and right easily. With time and driving conditions, wear and damage happen to every part of your vehicle, and tie rods aren’t different. Over time, tie rods can get damaged because of the factors like poor maintenance, harsh driving, bad roads, and accidents. The outer tie rods feature a small rubber boot whereas the inner tie rod has bellows that protect them from dust and road elements. If the dust boot or bellow is damaged, it will allow dust, water, and grime to enter, causing the grease to dry out and the tie rod to fail.
Some tie-rods are provided with grease fittings that allow you to service the joints regularly. Sometimes prolonged exposure to salt can cause the tie rod’s adjusting mechanism to freeze up, making it unable to move. In such a situation, it’s recommended to replace both the inner and outer tie rods together. Furthermore, tie rods can also get physically damaged because of accidents or a sudden impact caused by hitting a curb or a stone.
2 What Is The Cost Of Replacing Tie Rods?
The cost of tie rod end replacement includes the cost of the part and the labor cost if you get your vehicle fixed at a workshop. The price of a tie rod end can vary from $50 to $400 depending upon the model and manufacturer, with inner rods usually being more expensive than the outer rods. On average, tie rod replacement requires an hour or two depending upon the type of vehicle and parts to be replaced, for which different workshops charge differently, varying between $50 to $100. Also, changing the tie rods requires wheel alignment, which also adds $100 to $150 to the final bill. Also, the inner tie rods require some extra time and effort to replace therefore, their replacement is more expensive than the outer ones.
Some sample costs of replacing your tie rods for some popular car models are mentioned in the table below. These prices are an estimate and are subject to change. They do not include taxes, diagnostics, and other charges.
| Car | Labour Cost | Dealership Cost (Excluding Labour) | PartsAvatar Cost (Excluding Labour) |
| Ford F150 | $56 | $134 – $223 | $20 – $191 |
| Dodge Ram 1500 | $95 | $153 – $164 | $30 – $150 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $95 | $107 – $186 | $30 – $100 |
| Honda Civic | $55 | $93 – $124 | $30 – $56 |
| Toyota Corolla | $43 | $60 – $102 | $22 – $111 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | $110 | $130 – $180 | $18.61 – $51.22 |
| Hyundai Elantra | $51 | $54 – $119 | $21.98 – $58.95 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | $95 | $112 – $176 | $29.57 – $71.14 |
| Jeep Truck Wrangler | $58 | $393 – $502 | $27.73 – $303.52 |
| Mazda 3 Series | $35 | $57 – $124 | $26.04 – $57.18 |
3 Other Parts Related To Tie Rod Replacement
Often, a tie rod can fail due to the malfunctioning of related components. Furthermore, driving long on bad tie rods can also damage the other components. In such a case, if the problem is not isolated to tie rods, you might have to carry out additional check-ups and repairs. Some parts that are related to tie rods and might need a replacement are as follows:
A. Steering Rack Assembly
The steering rack assembly or the rack and pinion gearbox converts the rotary motion from the steering wheel and turns it into a lateral motion. The steering rack is connected to the inner tie rod, which transfers this lateral motion to the outer tie rod to turn the wheels. A bad inner tie rod end can be a cause of a faulty steering rack and if the steering rack assembly is damaged, the cost of steering rack assembly can range from $100 to $1600.
B. Steering Knuckle
The outer tie rods are attached to the steering knuckle, which is the last part of the steering system of the vehicle. The steering knuckle and the tie rods can get damaged at the same time if you hit a large pothole. For a steering knuckle replacement, the cost can be $150 – $700, excluding labor.
C. End nuts
The tie rod end nuts connect the tie rods to the steering knuckle and are also known as castle nuts. These nuts can crack and break due to prolonged exposure to road elements and wear. The cost of replacing end nuts is very cheap and you get them for $5-$15. You might have to purchase end nuts separately because not all tie rod kits come with these nuts. Always check the list of parts included before ordering replacement tie rods.
Apart from the cost of tie rod end replacement, you might also have to pay for wheel alignment. It has to be done every time you replace your tie rods and the cost of wheel alignment can vary between $100 to $150, depending on the vehicle and workshop.
4 Factors That Affect The Cost Of A Tie Rod End
| Mevotech Outer Tie Rods | $17 – $197 |
| Mevotech Inner Tie Rods | $23 – $110 |
| Moog Outer Tie Rods | $40 – $600 |
| Moog Inner Tie Rods | $46 – $500 |
| Delphi Outer Tie Rods | $25 – $137 |
| Delphi Inner Tie Rods | $27 – $130 |
| Transit Warehouse Outer Tie Rods | $10 – $116 |
| Transit Warehouse Inner Tie Rods | $10 – $80 |
5 When Should I Replace My Tie Rod End?
Usually, tie rods last a long time and you don’t need to replace them at all if you carry out proper tie rod maintenance. However, factors like the above can cause damage to the tie rods, allowing them to fail prematurely. Symptoms of a bad tie rod are uneven tire wear, vibration and looseness in the steering wheel, the car pulling in one direction while driving, and improper wheel alignment. If you notice these symptoms, get your tie rods checked and replaced to prevent further issues.
6 What’s Done During A Tie Rod Replacement?
- Before starting with the tie rod replacement, your vehicle needs an inspection to make sure it’s the tie rod that is causing the problem and needs to be replaced. Then start with removing the wheel.
- Take out the damaged tie rods and install the new ones in place. While removing the tie rods, use specialized tools like a tie rod puller or tie rod separator tool to ensure minimum damage. Always buy genuine parts for your vehicle that fit properly and last long.
- After installing the new tie rods, inspect the steering and suspension to make sure everything is fine and in good health. Grease the newly installed tie rods properly so that they can rotate effortlessly.
- After the installation of a new tie rod, your wheels need to be realigned for a smooth and safe driving experience. And to make sure, take your vehicle for a test drive.
7 Tips To Remember During A Tie Rod Replacement
- While performing a tie rod repair, it is recommended to replace both tie rods at the same time. Since the inner and outer tie rods have the same mileage, the damage is likely to be the same. Changing both tie rods simultaneously will not only allow your steering system to function properly but will save you a lot of time and money on changing them individually and getting your wheels aligned again and again.
- Once you have installed the tie rods yourself, get your wheels checked for alignment from a qualified mechanic. If you get your tie rods replaced at a workshop, ensure the wheels are aligned and ask for a report.Usually, the cost of wheel alignment might not be included in the tie rod replacement cost.
- Experiencing a loose steering wheel or a sloppy steering response after replacing your tie rods are effects of poor wheel alignment. These symptoms can also arise due to low-quality replacement parts or choosing an incorrect part.
- Tie rods do not have a universal design and are manufactured specifically for your vehicle’s make, model, and year. Refer to our ultimate tie rod buying guide to read more about the factors and top brands to consider while purchasing new tie rods for your vehicle.
8 FAQs
How Long Do Tie Rods Last?
Tie rods are an important component of a vehicle’s steering system. They are attached on both ends of the steering rack and help move the wheels. Tie rods can last for years and years and some car owners may never have to replace them at all, but their longevity can be affected by certain driving conditions. Driving obstacles like potholes, poor road conditions or even minor accidents can cause tie rods to work incorrectly.
The lifespan of tie rods can vary depending on driving conditions and vehicle maintenance. Typically, tie rods last between 70,000 to 100,000 miles. If you suspect your tie rods might be bad, there are a few simple checks that mechanics can make to see if there’s any excess movement in the tie rods where there shouldn’t be.
It’s recommended that both right and left sets of tie rods be replaced at the same time, and that a full four-wheel vehicle alignment be done once they’ve been changed.
What Happens When a Tie Rod Breaks?
When a tie rod breaks, it can cause the front wheels of your vehicle to become unstable and difficult to control. This can be especially dangerous if you’re driving at high speeds or on a busy road. According to Your Motor Fix, a broken tie rod can cause your tire to flop to one side, making it impossible to steer your car.
If you suspect that your tie rod has broken, it’s important to get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. A mechanic can perform a few simple checks to see if there’s any excess movement in the tie rods where there shouldn’t be.
How Long Can You Drive on a Bad Tie Rod?
If you suspect that your tie rod is bad, it’s important to get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. You should not drive your car with a bad tie rod for more than 10 to 20 miles before repair. Severely worn tie rods risk complete failure of the tie rod joint while driving, causing loss of steering control. Even slightly bent tie rods will worsen over time, rapidly wearing tires and damaging steering.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Steering Rack?
The cost of replacing a steering rack can vary depending on the type of vehicle, the parts’ scarcity, and the quality. The average cost of replacing a steering rack on a mainstream vehicle is between $400 and $750, including an alignment. The bulk of this cost is attributed to labor, which typically tallies up to a total of 2-3 hours, with another hour of labor billed for subsequent alignment.
How Long Does it Take to Fix a Tie Rod?
The time it takes to fix a tie rod can vary depending on the vehicle and the mechanic. Experienced professionals only take an hour to change a tie rod, but this doesn’t include performing vehicle alignment. That’s why it will take at least three to four hours overall. If you’re replacing your tie rods yourself without alignment included, you’ll need 2 to 12 hours, depending on your level of expertise.
How Does a Tie Rod Break?
Tie rods are an important component of a vehicle’s steering system. They are attached on both ends of the steering rack and help move the wheels. Tie rods can break due to normal wear and tear, driving hazards such as potholes, rough road conditions, or even minor accidents.
According to Motor Verso, tie rods can fail due to insufficient lubrication, which can cause the tie rod end to wear out faster. When a tie rod is damaged and fails, the effects can range from mild (early tire wear) to extreme (loss of vehicle control).
How Much Does it Cost to Replace Tie Rod Ends?
The cost of replacing a tie rod end can vary depending on the vehicle, the quality of the parts that are utilized, and how difficult it is to get to the tie rod end. It can cost anywhere from $100 to $400 to replace a tie rod end.
How Many Tie Rods on a Car?
The number of tie rods on a car can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle. According to Rx Mechanic, most vehicles have four tie rods. Two tie rods are located on each front wheel, with each wheel having an inner and outer tie rod.
How Much Does a Front-End Replacement Cost?
The cost of replacing the front end of a vehicle can vary depending on the extent of the damage, the type of vehicle, and the quality of parts used. According to Phil Long Collision Center, the average cost of repairing front-end damage on a vehicle ranges from $200 to $2,000. The cost of repairing a dented bumper can range from $400 to $1,500.
What Happens When Your Tie Rods are Bad?
When tie rods are bad, they can cause a variety of issues with your vehicle’s steering and handling. According to Mechanic Base, here are some symptoms of a bad tie rod:
- Uneven tire wear
- Lack of steering responsiveness
- Bad wheel alignment
- Car pulls to one side
- Vibration
- Strange noises, especially while steering
If you suspect that your tie rods are bad, it’s important to get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible
How often to Replace Tie Rods?
The frequency of replacing tie rods can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle, driving conditions, and maintenance. According to Jerry, most vehicle manufacturers recommend having your tie rods checked every 15,000 miles to ensure they’re in good working condition. However, if you drive your vehicle on rough roads frequently or in harsh weather a lot, chances are your tie rods will degrade faster than if you did a lot of smooth driving.
