• Registered: 2004-05-26
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Tie rod replaced, now bug whistles

I just had a tie rod replaced in my 69 bug.  Now the bug seems to whistle while I drive.  I do not believe the problem is the wheel bearings since the noise does not change with respect to the speed.

I can steer the car to an angle that makes the noise stop.  While looking at the car when it is parked, it seems that the wheels are not aligned correctly.  Possibly a realignment would fix this. 

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?  How safe is the car to drive until I can get it in a shop?

Any help is appreciated!
Thanks,
Zach

  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Tie rod replaced, now bug whistles

Zach: Can you tell with any degree of certainty where the whistle is coming from? Any time you do anything to the front end (tie rods, ball joints, steering box, etc.etc.) it's always a good idea to have the alignment professionally checked. Some will say that you can do it by sight and a tape measure, but I'm of the opinion that $40 or so to check/adjust the alignment is a lot cheaper than two (or more!) worn out tires. By the way, changing tie rod ends, even if you measure the number of turns carefully virtually always requires a further refinement to the toe-in adjustment. Good luck Clancy

  • From: Wellington, New Zealand
  • Registered: 2004-03-28
  • Posts: 50

Re: Tie rod replaced, now bug whistles

Zach - A simple test. If the sound changes when you drive over painted lines on the road (e.g. cross-walk) then your toe-in is wrong.   Brian

Brian-in-NZ's Website

  • Registered: 2004-05-26
  • Posts: 3

Re: Tie rod replaced, now bug whistles

Thanks guys.  It sounds like I need to take the car in and just have it checked out.  I know I would feel much safer doing this.

This morning I parked the car and straightened the tires.  On one side, the tire seemed very straight and lined up directly with the fender.  On the other side, the tire was slightly tiled to the middle of the car.  It was easy to see it was not straight like the other tire. 

Other than the annoying noise, is the car safe to drive on the interstate for a couple of days until I can take the car in, or is it dangerous?

Thanks for all your help and advise.  I really appreciate it.

  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Tie rod replaced, now bug whistles

Zach: Personally, I wouldn't spend too much time at freeway speeds until you get it checked. When you say "tiled to the middle of the car", do you mean the rear of the tire is inboard more than the front edge of the tire? That's "toed-out". If you mean the front edge is inboard a bit more than the rear edge, that's toed-in. If the latter, it sounds like one of your tires/wheels is too toed in. That is probably a little better than too toed- out.....the car will track a little better toed-in than toed-out. But I'd make an appointment and get it checked...It shouldn't take more than 20 minutes by a qualified shop. Good luck and be safe. Clancy