Tie Rod Linkages for Toyota Camry
Tie rod linkages are important safety components for your Toyota Camry vehicle. They are the devices that provide your Camry with good steering, and if they are not in good working order, you may lose the ability to steer your Toyota in the appropriate direction.
How do Toyota Camry tie rod linkages work?Linkages for the Camry connect to the front of the vehicle and operate as part of the overall Toyota transmission system. As the name suggests, several rods are used to connect the front wheels of the car to the gearbox. The tie rods act in a similar fashion to ball joints and allow you to steer your Camry in a way that will not affect the vehicles suspension, allowing you and your passengers a smooth ride. In turn, a rear support at one end is attached to steering gears. This is the device that moves when you turn the wheel of your Camry.
How do you know when your Toyota Camry tie rods need to be replaced?Linkages for your Camry provide you with not only a smoother driving experience but are both a necessity and a safety feature of the vehicle itself. Without them, you would not be able to turn your Toyota. While you may only experience rough or “sticky” turning at first, this is a sign that your Toyotas linkages are in need of either some maintenance or a full replacement instead. If these components fail entirely, you wont be able to use your car and you will put yourself at risk if you cannot turn. To negate this risk, its important to know the signs of faulty Camry linkages and the parts you should have on hand to replace them. These items include left or right inner and outer tie rods for the front wheels of your Toyota. You can purchase these linkages and ends separately as needed or buy a complete four-piece set. Other sets include the addition of sway bars as well.
What are the types of linkages?Linkages for cars like the Toyota Camry come in three primary types.
- A rack-and-pinion linkage involves a pinion gear that turns the pinion. As this turns, it moves the rack of the system from side to side. The rack then pushes the tie rod ends and arms in the direction you need to go.
- The parallel linkage rotates a pitman arm. The pitman arm moves a center link from side to side, which in turn moves the tie sleeves, causing your Camry to turn in the desired direction.
- The Haltenberger linkage rotates a pitman arm that then turns a drag link. This turning causes the ends and arms to move, which turns the Toyota in the appropriate direction.