Whether you're into drifting, grip racing, or just want your steering to feel precise, understanding what a tierod does is essential. Often overlooked, this small part plays a massive role in your alignment, turn-in feel, and overall chassis feedback.
This article covers what a tierod is, how it works, and why upgraded tierods are one of the most important mods for high-performance builds—especially drift cars.
What Is a Tierod?
A tierod (commonly written as “tie rod”) is a critical part of your car’s steering system. It connects the steering rack to the steering knuckle, converting your steering wheel input into physical movement of the wheels.
Each front wheel typically has two main components:
- Inner tierod – connects directly to the rack
- Outer tierod – connects to the knuckle or hub
The tierod assembly allows your wheels to turn, and it’s also responsible for holding alignment settings like toe angle. If it bends or fails, you lose all control.
Why Tierods Matter for Performance
In motorsports—especially drifting—tierods are exposed to massive lateral loads. Aggressive steering inputs, increased angle kits, and track curbing all put stress on these components. That’s why many OEM tierods eventually bend or develop play.
Upgrading to a stronger tierod setup ensures:
- More precise steering feedback
- Toe alignment stays consistent under load
- No flex or deflection when initiating or transitioning
- Better compatibility with angle kits or extended LCAs
Tierods and Alignment
Your tierods directly control toe—one of the most important alignment settings. If your tierod has any flex or looseness, your toe will shift mid-corner, creating unpredictable handling.
In drifting, stable toe = consistent car behavior. In grip driving, it means predictable turn-in and corner exits. A bent or soft tierod destroys both.
Signs of Worn or Weak Tierods
- Sloppy steering feel or dead zone at the wheel
- Uneven tire wear (especially on the inner edges)
- Clunking noises when turning or hitting bumps
- Wandering or pulling under braking
If you're seeing any of these, it's time to inspect or upgrade.
SLRspeed Tierods: Built for Abuse
SLRspeed offers a complete lineup of inner and outer tierods engineered for high-angle, high-load drift and race use. These are not rebranded OEM parts—they're purpose-built and tested in competition.
Why SLR tierods stand out:
- Beefier construction than stock
- Stronger ball joints that hold alignment under load
- Length options for custom setups or angle kits
- Lightweight but rigid—no flex, no dead feel
- Available for BMW, Nissan, Corvette, and more
If you don’t see your vehicle listed, reach out. We likely have a solution or can produce one for no extra charge.
Final Thoughts
A tierod upgrade is one of the most impactful changes you can make to your suspension system. Whether you're linking your first drift course or chasing lap times, don’t overlook the part that literally connects your hands to your wheels.
Replace stock slop with sharp, responsive control—run SLRspeed tierods and feel the difference every time you turn in.
