If you've upgraded your suspension, added angle, or slammed your ride — your stock tie rods probably aren’t keeping up. Whether you’re into drifting, grip racing, or just dailying your build, understanding how tie rods work is key to keeping your steering sharp and reliable.
What Do Tie Rods Actually Do?
Tie rods connect your steering rack to the wheel hub — translating every input from the steering wheel into movement at the wheels. They’re also responsible for maintaining toe alignment, which directly affects:
- Steering response
- Cornering feel
- On-center precision
- Tire wear
When tie rods are weak, worn out, or mismatched with your geometry, things get sloppy fast.
Inner vs Outer Tie Rods: What’s the Difference?
Inner tie rods connect directly to your steering rack. They move in and out as the rack pushes, and take most of the load during transitions. Outer tie rods connect the inner rod to the knuckle and allow the wheel to pivot. This joint is what gets adjusted during toe alignment.
Together, they form a critical link — and both need to be strong and properly matched for your setup.
Why Stock Tie Rods Fail in Drift and Track Use
- Thin steel flexes or bends under hard transitions
- Worn threads cause alignment slop and inconsistent handling
- Limited adjustment range makes aggressive alignment impossible
- They weren’t designed for high-angle steering or bump steer correction
That’s why upgrading your tie rods is one of the first mods smart builders make.
SLR Tie Rods: Built to Handle Angle and Abuse
Our tie rods are engineered for abuse — built from chromoly or high-strength steel, with extra thread length, high misalignment tolerance, and the ability to work with massive angle kits.
Key features:
- Extended thread for wide toe adjustment
- Oversized rod ends and jam nuts
- Compatible with SLR angle kits and control arms
- Tested in Formula Drift, grassroots events, and ProAm comps
When to Replace Your Tie Rods
If you're feeling vague steering, noticing rapid tire wear, or hear popping during transitions — it's time. Also, anytime you install:
- A new angle kit
- Aftermarket knuckles
- Adjustable control arms
- Rack spacers or relocated tie rod pickup points
Choose the Right Setup
At SLR, we make tie rods for BMW E36, E46, E30, C5/C6 Corvette, 370Z, 350Z, and more — each one matched to the geometry and needs of real drift setups.
Browse the full lineup of SLR tie rods to upgrade your steering with precision, confidence, and durability.
