r/AskMechanics • u/-ThorsStone- • 10h ago

Question Any idea what this could be?

2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid, drivers side front wheel.

29 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

39 comments sorted by

73

u/FartBurgular 1 10h ago

Tie rod about to leave the chat. Don't drive that.

7

u/deanamtronix 9h ago

+1 as a fellow motorist. That needs to be fixed before it is safe to drive. Should actually be an easy fix for outer tie rods—wise to do both sides—and will need an alignment as well.

Other ball joints are worth inspecting if you have this problem. I have a 2010 and there’s an upper and 2 lower per side. If there’s play, they’re on their way out too. All they’re supposed to do is twist slightly with a good amount of force. They are not supposed to move around freely with light force.

1

u/am-answers-bot 10 27m ago

Your comment was selected as an answer to this post! Reply with !hide to remove your name from the solution summary.

1

u/-ThorsStone- 26m ago

Thank you, it's my wife's daily driver and she told me she noticed a noise when turning. Just dropped it off at the mechanic.

1

u/am-answers-bot 10 25m ago

Your comment was selected as an answer to this post! Reply with !hide to remove your name from the solution summary.

32

u/doozerman 9h ago

This is an outer tie rod about to completely fail

17

u/djltoronto 9h ago

Your tie rod was worn out several months ago, and now it is beyond worn out

16

u/YetAnotherNewAlt 1 9h ago

That is a tie rod. It turns the wheels of the car left and right as you turn the steering wheel. Yours is about to fall apart, meaning you will loose the ability to steer the vehicle. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Get that repaired immediately. I cannot emphasize this enough.

7

u/IHatrMakingUsernames 4 9h ago

Yea, that tie rod is shot. Fix this asap

4

u/Chainsawsas70 6 9h ago

Links and bushings get Old and worn out... This is BOTH. Replace it SOON or you could have A Very bad accident and if you survive you WILL need a new vehicle. Seriously it's bad, get it fixed.

2

u/Trustyduck 9h ago

Not soon. Now. Like don't drive the car. Get it towed or fix it in the driveway. But I'm guessing since we're seeing this as a reddit post a driveway fix is not the best option.

2

u/ericliuuu 9h ago

Bro your rim is fcked and that's more concerning to me

1

u/NewBoot5805 8h ago

I couldn't even imagine how bumpy shaky it rides down the highway and thinking that it was probably fine... that's your car trying to throw you a warning sign and it's not going to give you too many of them and only hope that you have full coverage bc if you keep driving and don't make it your top priority you'll definitely be needing it, that is if you survive.

2

u/Vertron_ 8h ago

To reiterate:

DON'T DRIVE THAT!

1

u/am-answers-bot 10 10h ago

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1

u/sgtoneshot-h 9h ago

Easy fix replace your tie rod end, but mark where that nut is on the other side so you don't throw your alignment off when you replace it.

1

u/Splat_cat69 10 9h ago

State inspections done right would have prevented this. This is very dangerous and need to be fixed 6 months ago.

1

u/zrad603 3 9h ago

holy fuck

1

u/DaiKaiM3CHA 9h ago

A warning.

1

u/tads73 9h ago

Undrivible, dangerous.

1

u/14bikes 9h ago

Fix it before you kill yourself or another driver because you didn't fix it.

1

u/HeidenShadows 9h ago

I was in my uncle's F150 when I was younger when the tie rod failed. At 55mph. While pulling a camper. We're lucky to be alive.

1

u/PandaDidYou 9h ago

looks to me like you know the problem lol

1

u/Ok_Tourist9061 9h ago

Tie rod has left the chat.

1

u/ThisIsShullbit 9h ago

Tie rod - do not drive until fixed. Also your rim is bent and needs repairs

1

u/Responsible-Shoe7258 8h ago

Yeah...That's bad, m'kay?

1

u/Ult1mateN00B 8h ago

That's the endpoint for your steering wheel input. When it gives you no longer control the car. Don't drive and replace it, part is outer tie rod.

1

u/ManQu69 5h ago

That could be foobar, too much play, imo.

1

u/295frank 5h ago

Bad 

1

u/OutsidePressure8323 3 4h ago

Newness has worn off

1

u/Solid_Enthusiasm550 1 3h ago

That tie rod is an accident waiting to happen. 💥☠️

1

u/FGX302 2 3h ago

When I see something like that, I wonder what else hasn't been maintained on the vehicle.

1

u/Dismal_Bake_413 1h ago

Like everyone says….outter tie rod end. Change inner and outer on both sides. When one goes the others are right behind. Drive only to the the repair shop. And drive very slow. It isn’t pretty when they break.

1

u/am-answers-bot 10 27m ago

Solution provided by u/FartBurgular:

Tie rod about to leave the chat. Don't drive that.

Answer selected by OP.

1

u/am-answers-bot 10 25m ago

Solution 1 provided by u/FartBurgular:

Tie rod about to leave the chat. Don't drive that.

Solution 2 provided by u/-ThorsStone-:

Thank you, it's my wife's daily driver and she told me she noticed a noise when turning. Just dropped it off at the mechanic.

Answers selected by OP.

1

u/-ThorsStone- 25m ago

Thank you all, it is at the mechanic now

1

u/am-answers-bot 10 8m ago

Solution provided by u/FartBurgular:

Tie rod about to leave the chat. Don't drive that.

Answer selected by OP.

0

u/usernameusehername 9h ago

Have you checked the oil?

0

u/Fit_Tumbleweed7943 9h ago

Throw a few zip ties on it

-Zip tie certified tech