The Volvo power steering system functions on the collective work of various components in your car or SUV, with the most important one being the tie rod. The tie rod connects the Volvo steering system from the center of the car down to the tires, allowing the driver to pivot the car in any desired direction.
Like every other car part, the Volvo tie rod can become faulty over time, and this can have an adverse impact on the vehicle’s efficiency. Should you find yourself with a faulty tie rod or you are unsure if your tie rod has failed, this article provides a guide, highlighting signs of failure in your Volvo tie rods, and ways to deal with it.
4 Common Signs of Faulty Tie Rod in a Volvo
Before your tie rod fails, your car will show some warning signs. It is your job as a good driver to pay attention to these signs and take proactive actions:
- Unresponsive Steering: Because the tie rod is instrumental in moving the car, when it is bent or damaged, you may experience some difficulty in keeping control of the affected car. The steering becomes loose or there is a delay between action and motion.
- Noticeable Shift in Car Direction: If your Volvo’s tie rod fails, you may notice misalignment in the front end, causing the car to drift to one side when in motion. Get your tie rod checked once you find it difficult to keep to your designed road lane.
- Uneven Tire Wear: This is the most common sign of a faulty tie rod. A fault in your Volvo tie rod leads to an imbalance in the suspension system and also the tires. One sign you may notice is that some parts of your car’s tires wear out more than other parts.
- Vibrations: Apart from controlling the wheel, the tie rod also helps to dampen the effects of driving on rough terrains that usually produce serious vibrations. When your car starts to shudder or vibrate aggressively, you should look at the tie rod.
How to Deal with Tie Rod Failure
Dealing with tie rod failure is no easy task. You need the expertise and knowledge of a professional auto mechanic. This is because tie rod issues cannot be repaired, you need to replace a faulty one with a new one. Follow these steps when you start noticing the signs of failure:
- Stop driving the car. Driving the car after you’ve noticed signs of failure can put components in the steering, power, and suspension systems at greater risk. It can also cause accidents. So, tow the vehicle to a professional auto shop for proper diagnostics and repair.
- Once your car is at a mechanic’s shop and you have a replacement for the damaged tie rod, ensure that you follow up with a wheel alignment. This alignment helps to correct any error that might have been caused by faulty tie rods.
- Do not try to beat costs by choosing low-quality replacement parts over original parts. While this can save you some cost at the moment, the long-term effects are detrimental. Not only will a low-quality tie rod fail early, but it could also cause a failure to other components attached to it.
To avoid your tie rod from getting defective, some preventive measures you can take are;
- Avoid driving on rough terrain. You can simply avoid tie rod problems by not driving your Volvo on rough terrains. Also, work on practicing safe driving.
- Carry out routine checks. Regularly inspecting your tie rod for dents or damage will go a long way in spotting problems at an early stage.
- Maintenance checks at the Auto shop. Take your Volvo to an accredited auto shop for proper diagnostic, maintenance, and alignment checks.
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