Have you ever been driving around Johnson City, TN, and wondered how your steering works? Your car’s power steering uses a hydraulic or electric system to amplify the small effort you put into turning your steering wheel to enough power to turn your vehicle’s wheels. The steering wheel is attached to a steering shaft, which goes down toward the differential, that then attaches to the axle(s). At the other end of the steering shaft is a circular gear, which is called the “pinion.” The pinion interlocks with the rack, which is a straight gear that connects to the steering arms of your car’s wheels through tie rods. When you turn your steering wheel, the pinion rotates, which causes the rack to move either left or right, and your wheels move accordingly. We at H-Tek Tire & Auto Care know exactly how your vehicle’s steering system works and can make the appropriate repairs if needed. We’ve been fixing cars since 2006 and serve residents of Johnson City, Tennessee, Kingsport, Tennessee, Jonesborough, Tennessee, Bristol, Tennessee, Gray, Tennessee, and beyond.
What Are Tie Rod Ends?
Tie rod ends are part of your vehicle’s steering system and its steering gear. They are the meeting point between the steering rack and steering knuckle; the tie rod ends transfer the force from your vehicle’s steering rack to the knuckle, which is attached to the wheels. Tie rod ends also attach to your vehicle’s knuckle and rack. Every time you turn the steering wheel, the tie rod ends transmit that movement into several parts of your vehicle’s steering system until they push or pull the tires to make the vehicle turn.
Tie rods contain an outer tie rod end and an inner tie rod end that are connected; this serves various purposes. The outer tie rod end, which is a straight shaft with a rounded part at the end of it, has several parts inside of it. The long shaft body has a ball joint at the end of it through which steering movement is passed. The back of the outer tie rod end usually contains a grease fitting that allow the bearings to spin freely inside the tie rod. Tie rods are secured by locking nuts that are fastened by cotter pins and castle nuts. The inner tie rod end has a straight body that is covered by a protective rubber boot to keep dust from getting inside of it.
Your steering wheel feels loose or is vibrating – Loose steering means that you feel that you do not have control over your vehicle when driving. There is a disconnect between your steering motions and the motions of your vehicle. If this happens, it probably means your tie rod ends are loose and most likely need to be replaced. A loose tie rod end can also cause your vehicle to vibrate, particularly when you are turning corners or driving at high speeds.
When you turn your steering wheel, your vehicle doesn’t respond – In a worst-case scenario, a complete tie rod end failure will result in a complete loss of control of your vehicle. This is why it is important to bring your vehicle in for regular maintenance. To schedule your next appointment, give H-Tek Tire & Auto Care a call at 423-477-7320.
Experience Brake Repair Rooted in Integrity & Care
You deserve a shop where your safety is the priority — not the upsell. You deserve honest recommendations, master-level workmanship, and a team that treats you like a covenant partner.
Ready to schedule your next service or have questions? Contact H-Tek Tire and Auto Care in Johnson City and Gray. Our friendly team is here to assist you with all your auto repair needs. Let us help you keep your family safe and your vehicle in top condition.
Schedule your next service with us and experience top-notch care and support for your vehicle. We are located at 5882 Bobby Hicks Hwy., Gray, TN 37615. We are open from 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM Monday through Friday. Schedule an appointment today!
Expert ASE-Certified Technicians with 75+ Years Combined Experience
Their team of ASE Certified technicians brings over 75 years of combined technical experience in the auto repair field. This deep expertise—paired with their Mission Statement’s emphasis on “lifelong learning” and continuous self-development—ensures precise diagnostics and repairs the first time, giving new residents confidence in professional, high-quality work.
Tie Rod End Repair
Your vehicle has poor wheel alignment – If one or more of your vehicle’s tie rod ends go bad, the tires will not perform properly and your vehicle’s tires will not maintain their symmetry. This results in poor wheel alignment, which means that some of your vehicle’s tires are working harder than others. We at H-Tek Tire & Auto Care can perform front wheel alignment on your tires and determine which ones need tie rod end repair.
H-Tek Auto Care – Your Reliable Shop for Tie Rod End Repair
If you are in Washington, the 37615 area, or nearby, you can bring your car to H-Tek Tire & Auto Care for various auto repair services, such as automotive repair, preventative maintenance, and tie rod end repair. Our Quality technicians and owner Eric Henley are experts in all things auto repair and are continuously trained on the latest automotive technology and auto parts. We have excellent ratings based on reviews from 1596 satisfied customers and our services come with a 3 Years/36,000 Miles warranty.
We are one of the highest-rated auto shops in the area and can fix your Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus, and any other car you may have.
Reasons You Should Do Business With Us:
- Transparency
- Honesty
- Integrity
- We are Experts
- Years of Experience
Don’t hesitate to bring your car to H-Tek Tire & Auto Care in Johnson City today! You can schedule an appointment with us online or give us a call at 423-477-7320.
H-Tek Tire & Auto Care – Setting the Standard in Service Excellence!.
NAPA Gold Certified Shop with 20 Years of Trusted Service
As a NAPA Gold Certified AutoCare Center in business for 20 years (since 2006), H-Tek delivers consistent excellence backed by industry-leading standards. This long-standing local presence and certification signal reliability that new movers can count on right away, without the uncertainty of unproven shops.
We are a Digital Shop
Our technicians use the latest technology to not only tell you if there are any issues with your vehicle, but show you. If we uncover an issue the photo will be e-mailed to you for your records. At the end of every visit you will receive a detailed report regarding the general health of your vehicle. Our #1 goal is to keep you safe on the road.