Back to all

Steering You Right (Tie Rod End Replacement)

September 22, 2024

For drivers, S stands for safety.  And there are three other words that start with S that are all equally important: starting, stopping and steering. For your vehicle to be at its safest, all three functions must be in top shape. 

Steering is one of those things we take for granted.  After all, you turn the wheel and your vehicle changes direction. But sometimes you might notice your steering is a little off.  Maybe you've noticed you turn your wheel slightly and your vehicle doesn't turn. You may feel a little vibration in the wheel that increases when you go faster.  You may hear a little squeak from the wheels when you steer and you may notice your tires aren't wearing evenly.

These are signs that your tie rod ends may be failing. Tie rod ends help connect your vehicle's steering mechanism to the wheels.  They can wear out after you've hit one too many potholes or just from constant use.  They can cause sloppy steering and loose handling, and they should be replaced when they've reached the end of their life span.

If you notice any of these things happening on your vehicle, bring it in to us so a technician can check it out.  There are a couple of different types of steering, recirculating ball steering and the one most of the latest vehicles have, rack and pinion. When we replace your tie rod ends, we will remove and replace the old ones and adjust them to meet your vehicle manufacturer's specifications.

Tie rod ends should often be replaced in pairs, and your vehicle should be aligned afterwards.  Keep your steering working the way it's supposed to, and your vehicle will be sure to steer you right.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Tampa (Gunn Hwy)
4353 Gunn Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
813-908-0438
http://www.tuffygunn.com

More articles from Tuffy Gunn

Such a Little Part (Climate Control Resistor)

November 2, 2025

You expect your heater/air conditioner to work like it should. You have a control for temperature and one for fan speed. You even have a control for what vents the air comes out of. Don't be surprised one day if your blower fan develops a mind of its own and starts going crazy. Most of the ti... More

Cabin Air Filter and Engine Air Filter: What?s the Difference?

October 27, 2025

You may have heard someone say they just got the air filter replaced in their vehicle. But did you know your vehicle has two different major air filters and they both perform quite differentbut very importantduties? Todays vehicles have a cabin air filter, and an engine air filter. The engine a... More

Gearing Up (Differential Fluid Service)

October 23, 2025

You may have never thought about it, but when you turn a corner, the wheels on one side of your vehicle turn at a different speed than the other side. What is this magic? The answer is something called the differential. A differential is a gear box placed between the drive wheels and needs lub... More