Which would you have repaired first?

Question

I need to get my tie rods replaced and both my front axles after running over a curb, but I need to space it out over a couple months. I know nothing about cars! Which is more important to get first?

Answer 1

Let's be sure you fully understand what you have under that car and then you can decide the best choices to make...

First, the front axles... on a front wheel drive car there are two, one on each side. They come out from the sides of the transaxle (transmission). There are two joints on each axle, an inner CV joint (constant velocity joint) next to the transaxle and an outer CV joint near the wheel. The whole assembly costs about $100 as a rebuilt unit directly from parts stores.

The steering rack connects to each front wheel through a tie rod which has two joints on it, an inner and an outer similar to the axles though a much smaller, less significant joint. Each side of the steering rack connects to each side of the car independently.

Running over a curb can cause some damage though you would be the first case I've heard that a curb damaged ALL those things! Generally, one runs over a curb on one side of the car and if you did run over the curb with both front wheels in head-on fashion, the car would/should bottom out well after the axles and tie rods. You see, the front wheels themselves would lift that area over the curb. Once that area passes over the curb, the car would bottom out somewhere in the vicinity of the front doors, just behind the front wheels.

So, let's assume you smacked the right side hard into the curb... what's going to happen to the car? Well, you might blow the tire and dent the rim but that would be obvious. Less obvious is a bent knuckle where the front wheel attaches but that's pretty large metal and tough to boot... it would take one heck of a hit to do bend that part. The axle goes through the knuckle and is jointed at both ends to allow movement... that seems pretty well protected as well. But, when you come to the tie rods... those are actually pretty weak and don't take much abuse in the way of frontal impacts with curbs. You see, the tires are kept from turning by the driver holding the steering wheel straight ahead. Hitting a curb on one side forces that wheel anywhere but straight and the weakest link is going to bend or break depending on which direction the tire is forced. If the tie rod breaks, you won't have any steering at all and the tire can be moved left and right with you hands instead of the steering wheel. If the tie rod bends, you will still be able to steer that wheel, but it will be extraordinarily out of alignment and God only knows how you could continue to drive the car like that! If the bend wasn't that bad, you might still be able to drive the car but you could hear squealing from the tires and/or extreme tire wear as they would be forced to point you in a direction they really aren't pointing toward.

My bet is that the shop that looked at your car saw the damage to the tie rod or rods and then inspected further to find your axle joint dust boots broken (from age, not the curb) and added that to your list of needs.

If, however, I am wrong and the curb hit did bend the axles, the car would vibrate severely as you accelerated and make horrendous noises as you speed up.

So... my bet is that you need at least one new tie rod, its assoicated tie rod end joint, and a complete front end alignment when they are done.

The axles should be fine except that their joints are not protected from dirt and grime getting in because of the broken dust boots. Lubricating grease can get out as well which shortens their life span as well. You can expect each axle to cost around $100 from Autozone... installation cost about as much as the part so expect about $200 per side plus taxes.

I would get the car's steering fixed first and then take it for a test drive unless the shop can show you bent axles which would make it undriveable. During your test drive, feel for vibration as you speed up and listen for clicking noises especially when you turn. That is indicative of bad CV joints.

Don't pass up on the axle repair though... it's just buying you time to budget for it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Get another opinion. You may only need an alignment. I would do the tie rods first if needed. Its unusual to have a curb damage the axles.

Answer 3

Tie rods first, but be a cat and get it all at one time, now, and save a little money.

Don`t risk your or some one Else's neck.

Answer 4

axles spin the wheels, tie rods steer them...you need them both.

Answer 5

Hate to tell you this kiddo...BOTH are equally important to the saftey of you and others. It's time to run up the credit card...sorry.

Answer 6

You need them both done to drive the car safely.