Symptoms of a Bad or Faulty Drag Link

Common symptoms include uneven tire wear, steering wheel vibration or a feeling of looseness, and unwanted movement to the left or right.

A tie rod is a suspension arm component found in vehicles equipped with power steering systems. Rods are most commonly found on large trucks and vans and serve as the component that connects a car's steering box to the tie rod ends. One side of the link is connected to the connecting rod and the other side is connected to a fixed pivot point, and the ends are connected to the steering rods. When the steering wheel is turned, the linkage transfers rotational motion from the gearbox to the wheels so that the vehicle can be steered. Since the linkage is one of the central components of the entire steering system, when it fails or has any problems, it can cause problems with the car's handling. Usually, a bad or malfunctioning drag link causes several symptoms that can alert the driver to a potential problem that needs to be fixed.

1. Abnormal tire wear

One of the first symptoms of a brake link problem is abnormal tire wear. If a vehicle's brake link wears at the ends, uneven tire wear can result. Tires can wear at an accelerated rate both inside and outside the tread. Not only will this shorten tire life, but it will also cause additional stress and wear on other steering components.

2. Play or vibration of the steering wheel

Another sign of a bad or faulty brake link is play in the steering wheel. If the linkage wears out or there is play at any of its connection points, it may feel like play on the steering wheel. Depending on the amount of play, the steering wheel may also vibrate or vibrate while driving.

3. Steering shifts left or right

A bad or faulty brake link can also cause the vehicle's steering to be deflected while driving. When driving on the road, the car may spontaneously shift to the left or right. This will require the driver to constantly adjust the steering to maintain control of the vehicle and may even make the vehicle unsafe to drive.

The tie rod is one of the most important steering components for vehicles equipped with power steering systems. It ties several steering components together and can greatly affect the vehicle's handling if it has problems. If you suspect your vehicle is having traction problems, have your vehicle checked by a professional technician, such as an AvtoTachki specialist, to determine if your vehicle needs traction replacement.