Extremely loose tie rod end, dangerous?
Thread Starter
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Extremely loose tie rod end, dangerous?
I was wondering if a tie rod end with a significant amount of play in it,
i.e. enough that the wheel could be moved around a good half inch when on a lift
would this play and the resulting vibrations cause a properly torqued down wheel to come off while the car is in motion?
I remember reading in the archives something to this effect, but most people get the tie rod ends replaced before they get this damaged.
Car in example is a 97 A8 with over 100k miles on original tie rod ends, but this forum gets more traffic than the A8 forum and I know tie rod ends were a weak point on higher mileage B5's.
Thanks in advance!
i.e. enough that the wheel could be moved around a good half inch when on a lift
would this play and the resulting vibrations cause a properly torqued down wheel to come off while the car is in motion?
I remember reading in the archives something to this effect, but most people get the tie rod ends replaced before they get this damaged.
Car in example is a 97 A8 with over 100k miles on original tie rod ends, but this forum gets more traffic than the A8 forum and I know tie rod ends were a weak point on higher mileage B5's.
Thanks in advance!
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Super User
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yeah... I was just thinking that that amount of play would create serious vibrations.
The amount that could loosen lug bolts to the extent that could cause the wheel to fall off.
Thanks,
I'll keep reading the archives to see if I can find more.
Thanks,
I'll keep reading the archives to see if I can find more.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2001
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think about what you said for just one second
"if the tie rod did seperate then you would loose the abilty to control that wheel"
I think your statement is correct. Now, what do you think will happen when that event occurs at speed?
moTAP
Tie rods are cheap. A lot less cost than the damage it could to your car or health. Get it changed.
I think your statement is correct. Now, what do you think will happen when that event occurs at speed?
moTAP
Tie rods are cheap. A lot less cost than the damage it could to your car or health. Get it changed.
Thread Starter
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Oh... this isn't my car. Happened to someone's A8
Mechanic thinks the wheel came off due to the vibration caused by tie rod end in such bad condition.
Customer thinks that it was because the bolts weren't torqued down tightly enough.
From what I have read, it is definate that a bad tie rod end is very dangerous, I just wasn't sure if a severely bad one could cause the wheel to come off.
The easiest thing would be to blame the mechanic, but this A8 was extremely tired.
If they didn't even notice the tie rod was bad from driving it, what does that say for the rest of the car. I.E. a bad wheel bearing could definately cause a wheel to come off.
Customer thinks that it was because the bolts weren't torqued down tightly enough.
From what I have read, it is definate that a bad tie rod end is very dangerous, I just wasn't sure if a severely bad one could cause the wheel to come off.
The easiest thing would be to blame the mechanic, but this A8 was extremely tired.
If they didn't even notice the tie rod was bad from driving it, what does that say for the rest of the car. I.E. a bad wheel bearing could definately cause a wheel to come off.
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Yes it probably will turn either in or out BUT......
If That happens while the car is going down the road it has a very good chance it will take the wheel, spindle, and caliper off when it goes. How hard do you think it will be to control the car? What if this happend at 60 + mph in traffic?
Your first reply left me feeling it was ok not to replace an obviously fault steering component. That I do not agree with.
Your first reply left me feeling it was ok not to replace an obviously fault steering component. That I do not agree with.
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