Posted on 9/29/2026
The steering wheel needs small corrections on a road where the car used to hold its line. In a parking lot, you may hear a light knock when you change direction. The tires may still look fine, and the steering may not be difficult enough to make the source obvious. Those changes deserve a closer look before booking an alignment as the only repair. Wheel alignment relies on steering parts staying in place. If a joint moves when it should be holding the wheel, adjusting the angles with the car sitting still won't remove that looseness. Tie Rods Carry Steering Movement to the Wheels In a rack-and-pinion system, inner and outer tie rod joints connect the steering rack to the wheel assemblies. They allow necessary movement while transmitting the driver's steering input. The joints must articulate without adding unwanted free movement between the rack and the wheels. When wear creates clearance inside a joint, part of the steering movement can be taken up in that ... read more