Tie rods are attached to the steering rack and play a critical role in helping push and pull the front tires as the steering wheel is turned. There are two tie rod ends, the inner and outer, which connect to the steering knuckle and turn the front wheels. The outer tie rod end is adjustable and is used to set a vehicle’s alignment angle.To make sure the tie rods are working properly, we recommend having them checked once a year or during your alignment check. However, if your tires are wearing easily or you are having erratic steering, chances are your tie rod ends are worn out and need a replacement. A worn out tie rod end will cause the tires to becomes misaligned, which will lead to needed tire replacement and an alignment check. If ignored long enough, a worn tie rod end can cause substantial damage to your steering and suspension systemFrom a safety standpoint, there is a large safety risk, since erratic driving can cause an accident. From an environmental point of view, there is low impact from a worn out tie rod end.