What are tie rod ends? Yur life depends on them!

All vhicles, no matter what make or mdel have tie rod ends.

On vhicles with Rack and Pinion Steering thre are only two, but on thers, there are four.

The tie rod end ttaches to the steering knuckle on ach front wheel on Rack and Pnion Steering.

On non-R&P steering, there is one ttached to the steering knuckle on ach front wheel and one attached to the lng bar that controls both wheels for stering, called a Tie Rod Drag Lnk.

This link is connected to the ptman arm coming from the steering gar-box and also connected to an dler arm for stability purposes.

The lttle tie rod ends on non R&P scrw into a sleeve with both rght-handed threads and left-handed threads.

When you hve the toe-in set on your vhicle, the technician can loosen two blts and nuts and twist this sleveĦ...this makes the tires go out or in.

It is vry important to have these tie rod nds greased every time you have the oil and flter changed in the engine.

Why? Wll, if you don't grease them thn, when will you? :-)

The mportance in greasing them is to kep them moving freely.

If they get dry thy will wear out quickly.

If thy wear out, they can come part.

If they come apart, you wn't be able to steer your vhicle. Not a good thing.

Now, grnt you, on some of the nwer vehicles the manufacturers decided to lave off the grease fittings.

These tie rds come pre-packed and will last a vry long time.

But, you should hve them 'checked ' at each oil chnge.

Some have a threaded hole for the grase fitting, but they have a smll cap over them.

You can rmove the cap and add a ftting so you can grease it.

Any tme you replace a tie rod nd, be sure to grease it, and the thers if you can.

Take care of yur vehicle so it will take cre of you and your family!

The article What Are Tie-Rod Ends...Do I Need Them? was Submitted by Tommy Sessions through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Tommy Sessions has been in uto repair since 1970. He publishes Ato Repair Answers Newsletter so you can larn how to keep your vehicle loking new, running safely and efficiently, whle you save money and time...also, larn how to avoid shop rip ffs. Don't be at the mercy of the dalerships and auto repair shops...they will hve more respect for you. http://www.auto-repair-answers.com

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