How do I find a tie rod by OE number?

Enter the vehicle manufacturer's part number in the search box on ozteknikoto.com; the matching EGEROT tie rod codes are listed. Confirm the result against the vehicle model and the tube diameter and length on the product page.

Is a wheel alignment needed after replacing a tie rod?

Yes. Replacing a tie rod or rod end changes the toe angle of the front wheels, so a wheel alignment must be carried out after replacement, followed by a road test.

Can a bent tie rod be straightened and reused?

No. A tie rod that is bent, impact-damaged, heated or welded must not be used as a steering safety part; it should be replaced as a complete unit.

When should a tie rod be replaced?

The decision is based on the condition of the part, not on a fixed mileage. If there is play in the rod ends, bending or cracks in the body, a torn dust boot or irregular tyre wear, the part should be inspected and replaced if necessary.

What is the difference between a tie rod and a tie rod end?

A tie rod is the tubular link that carries the steering motion to the wheels; a tie rod end is the joint at the end of that link that connects to the steering arm with a tapered pin. EGEROT tie rod ends are also offered in a separate catalogue category.

Tie rod guide: selection, failure signs and replacement

A tie rod transmits the movement of the steering gear to the wheels and keeps the angle of the front wheels relative to each other (toe) constant. Under the EGEROT brand, Özteknik offers 854 tie rod assembly (Tie Rod Assy.) codes for heavy commercial vehicles, led by Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Renault Trucks, Volvo, Iveco, DAF and Scania, and covering trucks, tractor units and buses. All codes are listed in the tie rod catalogue.

What is a tie rod and what does it do?

On a heavy vehicle, the motion coming from the steering gear reaches the steering arms on the axle ends through rods and the rod ends fitted to them. Two main applications exist in this linkage:

Tie rod (track rod): connects the steering arms of the two front wheels, makes the wheels turn together and holds the toe setting.
Drag link: transmits the motion from the steering gear's pitman arm to the wheel; it is the first link that carries the driver's input to the axle.

In the trade both are often simply called tie rods. The EGEROT range includes codes for both applications, and the OE number tells you which application a given code belongs to. A tie rod generally consists of a steel tube body and the rod ends at each end; the tapered pins of the rod ends sit in tapered seats in the steering arms and are secured with a nut.

The working principle is the same on trucks, tractor units and buses; size, end geometry and connection type change with the axle design. In service a tie rod is constantly loaded in tension and compression and exposed to road shocks and vibration. Its resistance to bending, the strength of the end connection and play-free rod ends therefore have a direct effect on driving safety.

How to choose a tie rod

The most reliable route is the OE number. Enter the vehicle manufacturer's part number in the site search to find the matching EGEROT code. Sample OE numbers: Mercedes-Benz A 942 330 03 03, A 002 460 44 05, A 305 330 04 03 and A 305 330 10 03; BMC 52RS009939 and 52RS011699.

If you do not have the OE number, matching is done with the following information:

Vehicle make, model and axle type: e.g. Volvo FH16, MAN TGA and TGS, Renault Trucks Premium, Kerax and Midlum, Scania 94, 114 and 124 series.
Application: tie rod or drag link; left-hand or right-hand drive vehicle.
Dimensions: tube diameter, overall length and the taper diameter of the rod end.
Connection type: design of the rod end, thread direction, clamp and adjustment arrangement.

Most tie rods in the catalogue fall within these ranges:

Dimension	Typical range
Tube diameter	Ø 36 – 52 mm
Overall length	655 – 1698 mm
Rod end taper diameter (small end)	23.5 – 27.1 mm

Special codes outside these ranges also exist. Confirm the dimensions: before ordering, measure the length and tube diameter of the old part and compare them with the values on the product page; if you are unsure where to measure, ask us. Two tie rods that look alike may not be interchangeable because of a small difference in length or taper size.

Failure signs

Play in the steering; the wheels respond late when the steering wheel is turned.
Clunking or knocking from the front end over speed bumps, potholes or rough surfaces.
Irregular or feathered wear on the inner or outer edge of the tyres.
The vehicle pulls to one side on a straight road, or the steering wheel is off-centre when driving straight.
Bending, impact marks, cracks or advanced corrosion on the tie rod body.
A torn rod end dust boot, grease leakage and water or dirt entering the joint.
Play found in the front-end linkage at a periodic roadworthiness inspection or service check.

Inspection and replacement

Inspect with the vehicle safely secured and the wheels chocked:

Visual check: bending, cracks and corrosion on the tube body; condition of clamps and adjusting nuts; split pins and locking elements in place.
Play check: one person turns the steering wheel in small movements in both directions while another watches the rod ends and connection points. If the joint moves before the tie rod does, there is play.
Dust boot check: a torn, cracked or hardened boot is a sign that the joint will soon wear.

Replacement recommendations:

A bent, impact-damaged or heated tie rod must not be straightened and reused; replace it as a complete unit. Never weld or heat-straighten steering parts.
When replacing a tie rod, also check the rod ends at both ends, the tapered seats in the steering arms and the steering gear connection.
Tapered seats must be clean and dry. Apply the tightening torque and procedure given in the vehicle manufacturer's service manual, and do not reuse self-locking nuts or split pins.
After replacement, a wheel alignment (toe) check and adjustment is mandatory, followed by a road test.

Safety: a tie rod is a safety-critical steering part. It must be fitted by qualified personnel, with suitable equipment and according to the vehicle manufacturer's procedure.

Production and testing at Özteknik

EGEROT tie rods are produced in-house at our plant in Kemalpaşa, İzmir: tube forming, machining, heat treatment, surface preparation, assembly and painting are carried out under one roof. Tests applied for product and process validation include:

Heavy-duty vehicle tie rod durability test
Fatigue - life cycle test
Tie rod end torque test
Rotation torque test
Axial movement test
Dust boot leakage test

Production runs under a quality management system certified to IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015; see the certificates on the quality and certificates page and the manufacturing steps on the production and R&D page. EGEROT tie rods are made to OE quality, matching the dimensions and connection geometry of the part they replace.

Vehicles covered

Most EGEROT tie rod codes are for Mercedes-Benz, MAN and Renault Trucks, followed by Volvo, Iveco, DAF, Scania and BMC. There are also codes for truck and bus makers such as Ford, Kässbohrer (Setra), Neoplan and Auwarter. Sample models include the Volvo FH16 and FL 6, MAN TGA and TGS, Renault Trucks Premium, Kerax, Midlum and Midliner, Scania 94, 114 and 124 series and the Solaris Urbino city bus.

Sample products: ER0588, ER0245, ER0156 and ER1828. For the brand's other steering and suspension parts see the EGEROT page; for every tie rod code see the tie rod catalogue.

To get pricing and availability, add the codes you need to your quote list or send the OE numbers via the contact page. OE numbers and brand names are given for comparison purposes only.