Tie Rod Replacement Cost – Is It Expensive For A New Tie Rod?

By David Barlow
Last updated: Nov 24, 2022
Tie Rod Replacement Cost

The tie rod is an indispensable part of the car as it connects the steering wheel with the front wheels. Once the rod is broken, your car can not run smoothly, and this is the time you need to have it replaced.  

This article will give you an overview of the fixing price of the tie rod.

Tie Rod Replacement Cost 

In general, the driver has to pay about $100 to $400 for a full-service tie rod replacement; this range is applied to both inner and outer tie rod replacement costs. The price is dependent on the rod quality and the mechanic’s competence. 

A tie rod will cost about $40 to $120 regardless of the outer or inner part. However, there is a big gap between the labor price of inner rod replacement and outer rod replacement. 

The outer part is quite simple to be replaced, so you will have to pay only $80 to $100 for the mechanic price. In contrast, the inner part requires high competence to be installed properly; hence, the inner tie rod replacement cost is nearly as twice as the other, ranging from $150 to $300.

Since the rod has a correlated relation with the wheels, it is vital that you realign the wheels after the rod is replaced as well. This extra repair will charge you about $100.

With the condition that you want to reduce the tie rod price, you can purchase this item from an Original Equipment Manufacturer. By using this trick, you can save 5% to 10% of the fee. However, you must ensure that the part is high quality and equivalent to the price.

Symptoms Of Bad Tie Rod

Symptoms Of Bad Tie Rod 

Bumpy tire: Uneven tire is the most apparent symptom of a bad tire rod. You can feel the error when the car doesn’t run smoothly, even on a flat surface. Furthermore, this faulty item will result in the fast erosion of both the inner and outer sides of the tire.

Bad wheel alignment: Once the rod is broken, it can not be in line with the axle. The unaligned wheel makes it hard to take turns and drive fast. Even worse, a high degree of unalignment can block any control of the vehicle. If you get into this circumstance, take the car right away to the nearest garage.

Humming noise: Faulty rod can have a negative impact on your steering wheel. It causes several noises in the vehicle every time you start the engine. Even when you run at a low speed, the vibration is prone to continuing. The clunking and humming noise will become extremely large when you brake the car.

Inferior steering: Another sign of a broken tie rod is the bad steering. The malfunctioning part will suspend the steering system from cornering, which will make it difficult for you to turn left or right. 

Can I Drive With A Bad Tie Rod? 

It is very dangerous to run a car with a faulty tie rod. The misoperation of this component will negatively impact other parts, and it will worsen your wheel bearing. If that error element stays on the car for an extended time, the brake can be broken, and the car will suddenly lose control, leading to accidents. 

You had better not drive such a problematic car on the road; instead, you should have it repaired by a competent mechanic.

How to Tell if Your Tie Rod is Bad

Wrapping Up

In summary, tie rod replacement cost ranges from $100 to $400. The price can vary greatly depending on the seriousness of the problem and the type of rod. 

This is quite a large sum of cash; thus, selecting the alternative rod carefully ensures that it is worth the value. Besides, it is urgent that the bad rod be replaced right away to prevent potential dangers. 

David Barlow

Automotive Experts at World Tire Review

Hi everyone, I’m David (Tireguy). I believe that finding tires can lead to a lot of confusion and frustration for almost every driver. That’s why I would like to bring my experiences and knowledges to develop World Tire Review blog, it will give people a deeper understanding of what choosing the right tire is really like!