Tie Rods for SUBARU LIBERTY BN, BS

Tie rods are the steering links that connect the steering rack or steering box linkage to the steering arms on the front wheels. Every turn of the steering wheel passes through them, and they set the toe angle that decides how straight the wheels run. On a 4WD, tie rods and their ends work hard, carrying the loads from larger tyres, off-road impacts and corrugations. When they wear or bend, the steering becomes vague, tyres wear unevenly and the vehicle can wander. Tie rods are specific to each vehicle, so use the vehicle search to find tie rods to suit your BN, BS LIBERTY.

What Does a BN, BS LIBERTY Tie Rod Do?

A tie rod transmits steering movement to the wheels. When the steering wheel turns, the rack or steering linkage pushes or pulls on the tie rod, which pushes or pulls on the steering arm attached to the wheel's knuckle. That rotates the wheel on its pivots and steers the vehicle.

Tie rods are also how toe is adjusted. Toe is the angle of the front wheels toward or away from each other when viewed from above. The length of each tie rod is adjustable, usually by turning a threaded section, and changing the length changes toe. Correct toe lets the tyres roll straight without scrubbing, which is why tie rod condition and setting have a direct effect on tyre wear.

Tie Rods on Different 4WD Front Ends

How tie rods are arranged depends on the front suspension. On independent front suspension 4WDs and utes, each front wheel has its own tie rod. The inner end connects to the steering rack, and the outer end connects to the steering arm on the knuckle. Each wheel's toe can be set independently.

On solid front axle 4WDs, a single tie rod, often called a track rod, usually runs across the axle and links the two steering arms, so both wheels turn together. A separate drag link carries steering input from the steering box to one wheel. On these vehicles, the tie rod often sits low and close to the front of the axle, where it is exposed to rocks and obstacles off-road.

BN, BS LIBERTY Inner vs Outer Tie Rod Ends

On rack and pinion steering, each tie rod assembly has two joints. The inner tie rod end, often called a rack end, connects to the steering rack and is usually covered by a rubber boot. The outer tie rod end connects to the steering arm on the knuckle and is usually visible near the wheel. Both are ball joints that let the steering link pivot as the suspension moves, and both wear over time.

Signs Your BN, BS LIBERTY Tie Rod Ends May Be Worn

Common signs include free play at the steering wheel, where it moves slightly before the wheels respond, and a clunk or knock from the front when driving over bumps or turning. The vehicle may wander on the road and need constant small corrections, or the steering may feel loose and less precise than it used to.

Uneven tyre wear is one of the most telling signs. A worn tie rod end lets toe change as the vehicle moves, so the tyre scrubs and wears faster on its inner or outer edge, sometimes with a feathered pattern across the tread. You may also notice the steering wheel sitting off-centre when driving straight. On solid axle 4WDs, worn tie rod ends are also a common contributor to steering shake.

Other Possible Causes

Similar symptoms can come from worn rack ends, ball joints, rack mount bushes, wheel bearings, a worn steering box or worn suspension bushes. Incorrect alignment, uneven tyre pressures and mismatched tyres can also cause wander and uneven wear. Have a technician inspect the whole steering and front suspension before replacing parts.

How BN, BS LIBERTY Tie Rod Ends Are Checked

A technician will usually check tie rod ends with the front wheels raised. Gripping the tyre at the three and nine o'clock positions and rocking it from side to side shows play in the steering joints. Watching or feeling the outer tie rod end while the tyre is rocked shows whether the movement is at that joint. A second person turning the steering wheel slightly back and forth, with the vehicle on the ground, can also reveal play at the joints.

The technician will also check the rubber boots on each tie rod end. A torn boot lets water and grit into the ball joint, so a joint with a damaged boot is likely to wear quickly, even if it feels tight now.

Bent BN, BS LIBERTY Tie Rods and Off-Road Damage

Tie rods are not only at risk of wear. On a 4WD, particularly a solid axle vehicle where the tie rod runs low across the front of the axle, a tie rod can be struck by rocks, logs or ledges. A bent tie rod changes length, which throws out toe immediately and can leave the steering wheel off-centre and the tyres scrubbing.

After a hard hit to the front suspension, check the tie rod for any visible bend and look for a change in the steering wheel position or how the vehicle tracks. A bent tie rod should be replaced rather than straightened, since bending and straightening can weaken the metal.

Heavy-Duty Tie Rods for a Lifted BN, BS LIBERTY

Larger, heavier tyres increase the loads on tie rods. A taller tyre gives more leverage to any force acting on the wheel, and those forces pass straight through the tie rod and its ends. A lift can change the angles the tie rod ends work at, moving them closer to the limits of their range. Off-road, a low-mounted tie rod is also more exposed to impacts.

For these reasons, some owners of lifted 4WDs with larger tyres choose heavier-duty tie rods or tie rod ends, with thicker rods or larger joints designed to resist bending and wear. Whether a heavier-duty part suits your vehicle depends on the vehicle, its lift height, its tyre size and how it is used. Any replacement must suit the vehicle's steering geometry and be fitted correctly.

Looking After BN, BS LIBERTY Tie Rod Ends

Some tie rod ends have grease nipples and should be greased at the intervals specified by the vehicle manufacturer, using a suitable grease. Wipe the nipple clean before greasing, so dirt is not pushed into the joint. Many tie rod ends are sealed and need no greasing, but their boots still need checking.

Inspect the boots at each service and after off-road trips, particularly after water crossings, mud or sand. Rinsing mud and sand from the steering joints after a trip helps reduce abrasive wear. Catching a torn boot early can save the joint.

Replacing BN, BS LIBERTY Tie Rods: An Overview

Steering components are safety-critical, so tie rod replacement should be carried out by a qualified technician. The vehicle is supported on rated stands, and the outer tie rod end is disconnected from the steering arm, usually by removing a split pin and castle nut and separating the tapered joint with a suitable tool rather than by hammering the threaded end.

Before removing a tie rod end, its position on the tie rod is usually measured or marked so the new part can be set to a similar length, keeping toe close to its previous setting. The new part is fitted, the taper is cleaned and seated, and the nut is tightened to the manufacturer's torque specification and secured with a new split pin or locking nut as specified.

A wheel alignment is required after any tie rod work, since tie rods directly set toe. Driving with incorrect toe wears tyres quickly and affects how the vehicle steers.

Replacing BN, BS LIBERTY Tie Rod Ends in Pairs

Tie rod ends on each side of the vehicle carry similar loads and usually wear at a similar rate. If one has worn enough to need replacing, the other is often close behind. Replacing both at the same time means only one wheel alignment is needed, and it keeps the steering feel even from side to side. Check the rack ends at the same time on independent front suspension vehicles.

Choosing the Right BN, BS LIBERTY Tie Rods

Tie rods and tie rod ends are specific to the vehicle. Thread size and direction, taper size, overall length and joint design all vary between makes, models and model years, and some vehicles use different parts on the left and right sides. Confirm your vehicle's make, model and year, and whether you need inner ends, outer ends or complete tie rods, before ordering.

Shop BN, BS LIBERTY Tie Rods with Formula 4x4

Bent a tie rod on a rock? Replacements and the rest of the linkage are found in our steering parts range.

Start by confirming whether the play or tyre wear comes from the tie rod ends, rack ends or other components, and check the tie rods for bends after any off-road impact. Search by your BN, BS LIBERTY to find tie rods to suit your BN, BS LIBERTY, and plan for a wheel alignment after fitting. If you are unsure which part your vehicle needs, contact the Formula 4x4 team.