Question about tie rods - can they 'snap'?

Question

I have a 2001 Mitsubishi Mirage. A few weeks ago I started feeling a weird bumping coming from my front end - it sort of feels like there's a giant piece of gum stuck on one of my wheels (it gets more frequent with acceleration). I originally thought it might be a balance problem because it got worse last week when I bumped a curb kind of hard. 
After taking it to a garage, I was told that it was because my tie rods were worn out and needed replacement (I wasn't told whether it was inner or outer). The problem is, I don't have the $250 or the know-how to replace them myself. 
As far as the current severity, I still have plenty of control over the car, it doesn't wander or pull to the side whatsoever. My steering wheel wiggles a little but not horribly. 
I know it'll affect alignment and wheel tread if not fixed, but I can deal with that for the time being. My question is, at the current level, can tie rods snap suddenly, or is it something that happens gradually (meaning I have some time before it becomes a safety issue)?

Thanks in advance.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Tie rods rarley snap. But not fixing a worn tie rod can lead to further problems such as ball joints goin out and all other berings in the front end.

tuffey · Answer

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bandit_60 · Answer

they don,t what you call snap but if they get worn too much the ball can drop out of the steering knuckle and you will lose control of your car !

? · Answer

you should be fine as long as you dont plow into a curb or anything, any ball-in-socket joint has to be very very worn out or hit with a good blow to actually come apart.

? · Answer

keep driving it and see for your self. get them fixed dumb dumb.

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Question about tie rods - can they 'snap'?

5 Answers