Excessive rattling or knocking sounds coming from the China tie rod ends can indicate a problem that needs attention. Here are some suggestions for addressing tie rod end noise:
Have the tie rods diagnosed by an ASE certified mechanic as soon as possible.
Worn out or failing tie rod ends can damage the steering knuckle arms and compromise steering stability. It’s not safe to continue driving with loud knocking tie rod noise.
The mechanic can check the tie rod end bearings for excess play which indicates needing replacement.
They can also check tie rod alignment and tension to determine if adjustments fix the noise.
If the tie rod ends need replacement, it is best to replace both ends on the same side at the time.
Once new tie rod ends are installed, the alignment will need to be checked.
In many cases, replacing just the worn tie rod ends is sufficient to eliminate the knocking noise and restore safe steering ability.
But sometimes the inner tie rod or knuckle arms require replacement as well depending on the level of damage.
After new tie rod ends or other steering components have been installed, road test the vehicle slowly to ensure the knocking noise is gone before normal driving.
Continue checking the new tie rod end tightness over the first several hundred miles of driving.
As a temporary but unsafe repair, the mechanic could try tightening the tie rod adjusting nut to reduce excess side-to-side movement.
But this is not a guarantee the noise or problem is fixed. Tightening nuts does not replace worn out components and steering ability can still be compromised.
Neglecting excess rattling tie rod noise can eventually lead to loss of steering control which causes dangerous conditions.
It’s never worth the risk to drive with obviously loud knocking sounds coming from the steering linkage.
If cost is a concern, many auto parts stores sell affordable aftermarket tie rod ends which can save money versus OEM dealer parts.
But quality and warranty coverage may differ. For safety critical steering components, OEM parts are typically recommended whenever possible.