Tie rods are important elements of your Volvo steering and suspension systems. They link the steering rack to the steering knuckles of your wheels so that you can steer the car gently. In other words, they ensure that your Volvo does what is expected of it whenever you turn the steering wheel. If the tie rods are unhealthy, your Volvo will be shaky, and driving will be dangerous for you and other road users. Tie rods, like any other part of a vehicle, are susceptible to wear due to usage, poor road terrain, or even lack of servicing, resulting in the following problems.
Problems You’ll Notice When Your Tie Rod Fails
- Uneven Tire Wear: If you see one tire wearing out faster than the other three, your Volvo probably has a bad tie rod. When a tie rod is free or broken, the tire is subjected to uneven pressure and wears out more at certain places.
- Poor Alignment: Is your Volvo’s steering wheel off-center when driving in a straight line? This could be a signal of a misaligned tie rod. It may seem like a minor misalignment problem, but this can easily deteriorate and affect your Volvo’s steering and fuel consumption.
- Shaky Steering Wheel: Another sign is a vibrating or shaky steering wheel. This often occurs when the tie rods cannot keep the wheels in place, and you may experience more intense shakiness when the car is on the road at high speeds.
- Unusual Noises: Does your vehicle make a clunking or knocking noise when taking a turn or riding over rough terrain? Worn-out tie rods can produce such sounds because they cannot hold the connection tightly.
- Car Pulling to One Side: Do you feel that your vehicle is pulling to one side while you’re driving straight? A bad tie rod can affect the alignment of your Volvo and cause it to pull to one side of the road.
Measures Taken to Contain Volvo Tie Rod Failure
- Inspect the Tie Rods: If you are comfortable inspecting your vehicle yourself, you can inspect the tie rods. Things you need to watch out for include rusting, cracks, or a sign of a loose connection. However, note that some problems cannot be seen unless the car is lifted off the ground.
- Test the Steering: When the vehicle is stationary, twirl the steering wheel left and right. If you see signs of excessive play or hear strange noises, the tie rods are likely worn.
- Get a Professional Diagnosis: Take your Volvo to an experienced technician or auto repair center for a complete check. They will be able to assess the damage and advise on what should be done next.
- Replace the Tie Rods: If the tie rods are really bad, they will have to be replaced. Replacing a tie rod entails pulling out the bad one and then putting in a new part that is durable and will last a long time.
- Align the Wheels: After replacing the tie rods, the wheels need to be aligned again. Misalignment leads to tire wear and makes handling the car difficult.
Volvo Drivers In Georgia Trust Royalty Auto Service For Their Tie Rod Repairs
If you are having problems with the tie rods, you need a repair center with a lot of experience with Volvos. We at Royalty Auto Service are focused on providing you with the best automotive care for your Volvo car. Tie rod failure is one of the most common issues we have encountered in our many years of serving Volvo and other European and Asian automobile owners. If you entrust your car to us, we will diagnose the problem. Then, after we have identified the fault, our technicians will fix it using genuine spare parts for durability.
Our role is to make sure that your Volvo wheels are correctly positioned for safety when on the road. You can come to either of our shops in Kingsland or St Marys, GA, but it does not end there; we also assist drivers from nearby cities such as King Bay Base, Amelia Island, Brunswick, Yulee, and Woodbine, GA. Call us today to set an appointment with our professionals.