Steering Tie rod - nearside. Help!!!!

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jimmycooper
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2025 4:07 am

Post by jimmycooper »

Hi All - new to the forum today.
I have a 74 plate 225kW Advance 87kWh 5dr e-4ORCE. Love the car to bits.
A few days ago in icy conditions (and on a private one lane track) my vehicle went into a sideways slip when turning a 90 degree corner at around 10mph. I corrected the slip immediately, but unfortunately my front n/s wheel slid slowly into the kerb, side ways on. No damage to the wheel and tyre.
I am a retired garage owner and immediately realised that there was a problem as the steering wheel was off centre. On continuing to drive - warning lights came on for lane control etc as the car realised that it was not operating correctly.
On inspection, the car has bent the tie rod (inner) on the nearside.
Tie rods are available quite readily for all makes of vehicles and can cost between £8 and £50 depending on the maker.
Contacted various Nissan dealers - NO, you cannot buy a tie rod on it's own - only a full steering rack at £1600 plus vat (plus a hefty bill for fitting, even at a private garage).
ADD INSULT TO INJURY - If you want a new rack, it is on back order with no delivery date!!!!
I have visited every website you can think of, including Autodoc and have emailed many car breaker's yards. No joy.
I have messaged Nissan UK and await a reply - which I expect to read "tuff"
£53,000 car off the road because they do not supply tie rods. Surely, someone should not be subjected to a bill of well over £2000 because of a minor steering part!
Good grief - the car has been in production for a few years and obviously the steering rack maker must source or make individual tie rods.
I am at a loss and in disbelief. I ask if anyone can help?

Milkfloat
Posts: 178
Joined: Wed May 25, 2022 1:52 pm

Post by Milkfloat »

Ouch! I'm not surprised that the whole rack is sold as a unit. You won't get any help from Nissan as they are totally useless. The model is well over 2 years old now and second hand values of the early ones are low enough to mean moderate crashes are writing them off. Half an hour with a phone to scrapyards could work. A quick Internet look came up with a couple focused on Nissan.
jimmycooper
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2025 4:07 am

Post by jimmycooper »

Many thanks Milkfloat. Had already done numerous phone calls and emails to breakers. Listed requests on all the different breakers yard websites. All with a zero result
Milkfloat
Posts: 178
Joined: Wed May 25, 2022 1:52 pm

Post by Milkfloat »

Is it an option to take the rack out and get the rod straightened? You will need a lift of course.
jimmycooper
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2025 4:07 am

Post by jimmycooper »

Thought it only fair to post an update on the Tie rod situation, in relation to Nissan's willingness to assist. I wrote on 3 occasions to Nissan. In my final email, I outlined the ridiculous situation of having to spend around £2500 to replace a steering rack , when only a tie rod is needed. I firmly outlined the fact that all other types of vehicles have these readily available as it is a part that is pretty much designed to absorb shock on even a minor impact. I queried whether the tie rod on an Ariya is used in other Nissan vehicles, which may list it as a supplyable part. I further outlined my Motor Trade experience and touched on the fact that Insurers would surely take a close look at the Ariya's grouping if every vehicle needed a full steering rack for minor incidents. I have now had a "positive" reply (we shall see what the outcome is) which reads :-
Dear Mr Cooper,
Thank you for reaching out and for providing further details on your concerns regarding the tie rod availability.

My name is Giounouz and I am your assigned case manager. I will do my best to assist you with your request.
We will investigate this matter further and liaise with our technical team to explore whether an alternative solution can be offered. Additionally, we will review any potential compatibility with other Nissan models or identify possible supplier options.
I will update you as soon as we have more information.

Thank you for your understanding. I expect to have an update for you by Wednesday.
Best regards,
Driver_1122
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:27 pm

Post by Driver_1122 »

These cars are more popular in the US than the UK.
So I did some googling for Nissan breakers with the aid of a VPN and duckduckgo web browser.
There were a few. Sure you could fine more
https://www.chuckandeddies.com/used-nissan-parts/

Carriage might be an issue.
Assume left hand drive parts are the same.
Japan right hand drive. Many Aryias there.

There were also a few that allowed messaging of breakers all over the States. Might be helpful.
jimmycooper
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2025 4:07 am

Post by jimmycooper »

Many thanks for the info Driver_1122. - I will await the possible outcome from Nissan and if no joy , will certainly try the USA route. In the meantime, I have straightened the tie rod - but it is really not very satisfactory. It is quite a flimsy piece of metal to start with and has a ball and socket on one end. We have straightened the centre section, but there is a minor kink near the ball and socket and we are unwilling to heat up that section, for fear of damaging the ball and socket.
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