Thursday, September 22, 2011

What is an outer tie-rod? How urgent is fixing it if it's loose?

I went to Firestone to get an alignment done because my 94 ford escort pulls really hard to the right. They said that my left front outer tie-rod was loose and that that was the problem and doing an alignment wouldn't help. They said they would have to replace it, why does it need replaced if it is just loose? Can they not be tightened back up? Going to cost $130. If I wait until I'm better off money-wise is it going to worsen the problem? I have a friend whose uncle is a mechanic who has changed my alternator and done tune ups for me before, do you think this is something that can be done without one of the machine that lifts your cars? Any and all suggestions and info appreciated thanks.What is an outer tie-rod? How urgent is fixing it if it%26039;s loose?
HI

A tie rod is what steers the tires. If it lose he didn't mean that the nut is lose (as the nut has a carter pin through it ) he means that its shot and wore out.

As for urgent .... if it breaks you won't be going anywhere and it may cause you to crash if your driving it.. as when it brakes that one tire will turn all the way out or in and you won't have any control over the car.

good luck

timWhat is an outer tie-rod? How urgent is fixing it if it%26039;s loose?
this is something that can be aken care of without lifting the vehicle. the tie rods are very important. they are what in a sense %26quot; tie your hub assembly into your vehicle.%26quot; in the unfortunate case that it was to brea it would kick your %26quot;tire%26quot; in a direction that you really dont want it to go. if your going to replace it you need to treat it like a headlight or brake pads or wheel bearings and just do them al at the same time. keeps it simple. if your friends uncle is a mechanic he should be able to do this for you pretty easily. if he is willing. there are some little quirks however about tie rods that can really stress you out. you need to look up your vehicles specs on the computer and find out what you need. or give your local dealership a call, have the last eight digits of your vin number handy. they will need it. have them tell you the parts involved in your tie rods. then just call your local auto parts store with the information and you will more than likely save more.... HOWEVER!!!! you need to know that tie rods dont just go out. did you hit someting hard? a curb or something? that would do it. anyhow. if you have been driving around like this for a while it may not hurt to continue untill you can get the money saved. but you definitely want to put this in the top of your list to get done. it could be a dangeerous thing if they brokeWhat is an outer tie-rod? How urgent is fixing it if it%26039;s loose?
The tie-rod END is probably what he %26quot;said%26quot; or %26quot;meant%26quot;. That's a very easy replacement. If that price is all inclusive; alignment, tie-rod end, and labor, go for it. If not, get your friend's uncle to do it, if he can. Then go get your alignment.



The more you drive your car in it's current state, the more it's going to cost.