Is this a bad tie rod?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

gillygong

Active Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2023
Posts
29
Reaction score
4
Location
Pasadena
I've been getting what feels like a lot of steering shake when driving over bumps or rough road. No shake or wobble or anything when driving at any speed on smooth roads. More like the steering jerks left or right when hitting bumps.

I tried swapping front and rear wheels- no difference.

Today I lifted the front end up, and didn't see anything amiss- the rubber boots at both tie rod ends on each side look good. I then tried rocking each back and forth holding at 6 and 9. I didn't feel any obvious play on either side, but there is a loud clicking/clunking sound which you can hear in the video below. I think it's happening on both left and right but more so on the left so I could just be hearing it from the opposite side when rocking the passenger side wheel. It sounds like it's coming from the inner tie rod area as opposed to near the wheel.

Could this be a bad tie rod or something else? What else should I do to investigate? Is it worth replacing the tie rods as a test?

2013 LR4 135k miles

 
Last edited:

Jimmy Brooks

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2019
Posts
636
Reaction score
203
Location
Pasadena California
I've been getting what feels like a lot of steering shake when driving over bumps or rough road. No shake or wobble or anything when driving at any speed on smooth roads. More like the steering jerks left or right when hitting bumps.

I tried swapping front and rear wheels- no difference.

Today I lifted the front end up, and didn't see anything amiss- the rubber boots at both tie rod ends on each side look good. I then tried rocking each back and forth holding at 6 and 9. I didn't feel any obvious play on either side, but there is a loud clicking/clunking sound which you can hear in the video below. I think it's happening on both left and right but more so on the left so I could just be hearing it from the opposite side when rocking the passenger side wheel. It sounds like it's coming from the inner tie rod area as opposed to near the wheel.

Could this be a bad tie rod or something else? What else should I do to investigate? Is it worth replacing the tie rods as a test?

2013 LR4 135k miles


Have you done lower control arms?
 

Rberkel

Active Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2018
Posts
34
Reaction score
14
Location
California
Sounds like bad tie rods. A common wear problem. Make sure you order the correct ones for your vehicle. They changed the thread on them.
See this video:
 

gillygong

Active Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2023
Posts
29
Reaction score
4
Location
Pasadena
Just had new tires put on and had the shops mechanic look at the suspension. He said nothing looked bad but need an alignment. Going to do that and evaluate
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
36,223
Posts
217,601
Members
30,474
Latest member
sawcut
Top