Worn tie rod ends cause wandering, a loose steering wheel, and uneven tire wear — replacing them restores tight steering and is a core part of killing death wobble.
The tie rod connects the two front steering knuckles and carries the toe load that keeps both front tires pointed the same direction. The ball joints in each tie rod end wear with miles, bigger tires, and trail impacts. Once they develop play, you feel it as a vague, wandering steering wheel, a clunk when you rock the wheel back and forth, and feathered tire wear on the front edges. On a lifted XJ, worn tie rod ends are one of the first things to check when chasing death wobble. This is a job you can do on jack stands in your driveway, and you control whether it's done right by torquing to spec and setting toe afterward.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Moog tie rod end (knuckle end) | RockAuto / Summit Racing | ~$40 |
| Moog tie rod end (adjuster end) | RockAuto / Summit Racing | ~$40 |
| New cotter pins | local hardware | ~$3 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.