The Leading Repair Shop in Santa Cruz to Fix a Tie Rod Failure in Your Volvo

Volvo’s are equipped with many intricate parts that must work together to keep both you and your vehicle on the road and out of the repair shop. One of these essential parts of a Volvo is the tie rods. When you experience tie rod failure, your vehicle becomes more hazardous to you than you may realize.

All vehicles are manufactured with a tie rod, as this is one of the most essential parts of your vehicle’s steering system. This part, also known as a tie bar, works in connection with a ball joint that is designed to convert force from the steering center link to the steering knuckle. The tie rod helps the driver to smoothly navigate their vehicle and holds the proper front-end alignment.

What are the warning signs of tie rod failure in a Volvo?

There are many signs and symptoms that alert a driver to a problem or a failing part of a vehicle. Below are the most commonly reported symptoms of tie rod failure from Volvo drivers.

A shaking steering wheel: Often the first thing drivers notice when the tie rods begin to fail in their Volvo is a vibration or shaking that is felt from the steering wheel. Drivers may notice an unresponsive steering wheel, especially when making turns.
Car vibrations: When the tie rods begin to experience failure, the tires are able to move about more randomly. These random movements result in vibrations that can be felt from all over the vehicle. The vibrations are more prominent as drivers speed up, slow down, and make a turn.
Uneven wear: It is no secret that the more you drive, the more your tires will experience natural wear and tear. When the tie rods are failing, this causes tires to wear unevenly due to exceeding misalignment.
Improper alignment: The alignment of a vehicle is one of the most important things to ensure it is regularly maintained because when the alignment is off for your Volvo, your vehicle becomes more hazardous to you as the driver. With an improper alignment, you will notice your vehicle has a tendency to pull to one side or the other rather than maintaining a straight line.

What causes tie rod failure?

Tie rods are used by your vehicle every single time you drive your vehicle. This type of failure occurs for a number of reasons, but below are the top three:

Normal wear and tear: Cars age naturally as you use them, and your tie rods are a part that isn’t in need of replacement often, but it will come up in your vehicle’s lifespan.
Harsh and/or hazardous road conditions: If you drive on rough terrain or on bumpy roads with potholes and rocks or road debris, your tie rods may wear out faster.
Lack of lubrication: Lubrication is necessary for the majority of parts in your vehicle, and your steering system and its joints.

Do I need to replace both tie rods at the same time?

When tie rods begin failing and have the same amount of mileage on both, it is recommended to replace them both at the same time. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on what your trusted and certified mechanic sees upon inspecting your Volvo.

Hayes European Will Help!

Hayes European is a complete luxury automobile service facility that was founded in 1995. Our European auto shop is conveniently located in Santa Cruz, CA, serving drivers of European automobiles in the town as well as surrounding areas including Aptos, Soquel, and Capitola, California.

Our team of expert technicians is highly trained in the service and repair work of Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Sprinter Van, Volkswagen, and Volvo models. At Hayes European, we offer several benefits including:

free shuttle services within a 10-mile radius
complimentary vehicle pick up and drop off services before and after repair work has been completed
24-hour key drop

Throughout all service and repair work, our expert technicians are supervised by founder John Hayes and/or our co-owner Brian Williams. In doing so, we can be sure that each customer gets the highest quality work each time. Collectively, John Hayes and Brian Williams have more than 60 years of experience in the automotive industry.

If you find yourself in need of service or repair work, call our office or stop by today to schedule an appointment.