Is it safe to drive like this?

Question

I am going to visit my mother in NY and I will be driving her car a little while I am there. She just found out that her tie rod needs to be replaced, but the guy said it should be safe for a few weeks. How safe is it to drive in a car like this...I am pregnant and I will have my 1 year old with me too. If it does break while I am driving it what should I do?

Answer 1

It Is not safe to drive any car when a mechanic has told you that the tie rods are loose. If the tie rods are loose enough to need replacement the car is not safe to drive.

  If they do break while you are driving just hang on the car is going to go where it wants

Answer 2

If this "breaks" while you are driving it you'll lose complete control of the car.   One wheel will go whichever way it wants regardless of steering input.  

It could make it another year.   If they're just lose and sloppy just makes for bad shimmy on the road.   Few really break before getting so bad you can't drive.

But for peace of mind and a safe trip I'd get it fixed.   Simple repair.....

RoyG

KC

Answer 3

Nope. Driving with a bad tie rod is a disaster waiting to happen. If it breaks while you're driving you will have NO control of the car.

Answer 4

It is not safe, the tie rod helps control the steering.....

Answer 5

If the tie rods really need replacing, then the car is not safe to drive.  There is no way a mechanic can look at the damage and make a judgement that they still have "a few weeks" of safe operation.