Volvo is a Swedish luxury automobile manufacturer known for its state-of-the-art technological features. With the many advances in vehicles, this comes with many opportunities for the failure of parts. Volvos may experience failure with the tie rods at some point throughout the life of the vehicle.
A tie rod, also known as a tie bar, is a long, bar-shaped structural unit capable of carrying tensile loads. It is designed to hold together and prevent the separation of two parts within your vehicle.
In a vehicle, Volvo included, a tie rod is used to connect the steering system to the tire system, creating a push/pull motion allowing the wheels to turn. Should you find yourself with a broken tie rod, you are at a much higher risk of complete loss of control of your Volvo.
Symptoms of Wear on Your Volvo’s Tie Rod
As with any part within your vehicle, a failing tie rod will exhibit warning signs before complete failure. If these signs are ignored, you run the risk of severe damage to your vehicle and yourself, should you lose control of your car while driving.
The most common sign of a failing tie rod is unevenly wearing tread on your tires. A tire has tread all the way around it to aid in gripping the road, accelerating, and even making turns safely. Over time, the tread begins to wear down resulting in the need for new tires. But if you notice your tires are wearing unevenly, this could be a sign that a tie rod is failing. A certified mechanic can determine if it is due to this problem with a tie rod.
The tie bar in your Volvo, located in the front of your vehicle, may produce a squealing noise upon failure. This sound is similar to that of a warning of low power-steering fluid. To differentiate between the two, a certified mechanic can check the power steering fluid level. If it is adequate then the cause is determined to be worn down tie rods that need to be replaced immediately.
You may begin to notice a change in steering or a seemingly “off” front-end alignment on your Volvo. The steering may become loose or even delayed between the action and motion. The vehicle also may begin to pull to the left or right while driving. These signs should not be ignored, as they can lead to significant damage within many other areas of your Volvo.
The tie rods in your vehicle sometimes loosen over time, resulting in a shaking steering wheel. When the tie rods become loose, everything begins to bounce, resulting in the shaking feeling. With significant loosening, it can be felt at speeds as low as 20 mph and worsen upon acceleration.
It is important to bring your Volvo to a certified auto repair shop specializing in European vehicles. Continuing to drive and ignore a problem may result in a total loss of the vehicle.
Manfred’s Import Auto For the Health of Your Volvo
Manfred’s Import Auto has been the leader in 
European auto service since 1986. Our team is dedicated to helping drivers near Barrington, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Lake Forest, and Lake Zurich, IL.
We are staffed with certified mechanics equipped with decades of experience. Manfred’s Import Auto prioritizes quality over quantity when it comes to repairs and maintenance of your European vehicle. We pride ourselves in handing the keys back over to you with the feel of a seemingly new vehicle.
Manfred’s Import Auto uses factory grade tools and equipment to provide you with the highest quality service available such as:
- autologic scanner
- autoband scan
- leonardo scan tools
- Hunter alignment machine
We understand the inconveniences behind waiting around at an auto repair shop. For this reason, we offer complimentary shuttle services to get you where you need to be. In addition, we also offer free loaner vehicles available upon request should your repairs require an extended time.
All of our technicians are ASE certified and use only factory computers for quick, accurate diagnostic tools. We are ready and prepared to help you with your car troubles. Do not wait until a problem worsens. Call to schedule an appointment today.
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