When drivers talk about improving their suspension or chasing more angle, they often jump to coilovers, control arms, or angle kits. But there’s one crucial component that gets overlooked — the tie rods.
Whether you're drifting, road racing, or daily driving a lowered car, your tie rods are the link between your steering input and the front wheels. If that link is weak or vague, everything else suffers.
What Do Tie Rods Actually Do?
Tie rods connect the steering rack to your wheel hub. Every movement of the steering wheel goes through these rods — translating into toe changes and steering input at the wheels. There are two main parts:
- Inner tie rod: Connects directly to the steering rack and moves in/out
- Outer tie rod: Connects to the hub/knuckle and allows rotation
Together, they determine how sharp, accurate, and predictable your steering feels — especially under load.
Stock Tie Rods Aren’t Built for Abuse
OEM tie rods are fine for street driving. But once you start pushing angle, hitting curbs, sliding transitions, or running wider tires, they fall short.
- They flex under load
- They bend during drift hits or hard bumps
- They often don’t have enough thread length for proper alignment
- They wear out quickly under aggressive geometry setups
Worst of all — when they go, they usually cause unpredictable steering response, or worse, sudden failure.
Why You Should Upgrade
An upgraded tie rod setup improves:
- Steering feel: Less slop, more precision
- Angle capability: Works with increased steering angle and modified geometry
- Durability: Stronger threads, better materials, and proper sizing
- Toe adjustability: Longer threads mean more range and better tuning
For drift cars, it’s the first upgrade you should consider after a welded diff.
What Makes SLR Tie Rods Different?
SLR’s tie rods are built for track abuse and high angle. Used by drivers in Formula Drift, ProAm, and grassroots events, they’re made with:
- High-strength chromoly or hardened steel construction
- Extended threads for alignment range and rack compatibility
- Thicker rod ends with superior misalignment control
- Fitment for BMW (E30, E36, E46), Nissan (350Z, 370Z), Corvette (C5, C6), and more
They’re designed to work seamlessly with SLR angle kits, control arms, and toe correction components — giving you a setup that actually works together.
Common Signs You Need New Tie Rods
- Steering feels vague or has a dead zone
- Excessive toe change after drifting or hitting bumps
- Popping noises while turning
- Tires wearing rapidly on the inner or outer edge
- Difficulty aligning the car after suspension changes
If you’re experiencing any of these, inspect your tie rods and consider upgrading before moving on to more advanced mods.
One of the Most Overlooked, High-Impact Mods
Tie rods may not be flashy, but they’re foundational. A solid set of upgraded rods gives you the confidence to send it into a corner — knowing your steering input will actually land where you want it.
Check out our full lineup of SLR tie rods and unlock sharper, safer, more consistent steering — whether you’re drifting, tracking, or just setting up your street car the right way.
