A Guide to Replacing Steering Tie Rod Ends on the 2017-2024 Jeep Compass

Is Your Jeep Compass Making Noise? Signs of a Bad Tie Rod End

A failing tie rod end on your 2017-2024 Jeep Compass will give you clear warning signs. One of the most common complaints for this vehicle is a clunking or rattling noise from the front end when driving over bumps. While this is often caused by failing sway bar links, it is also a primary symptom of a bad tie rod end. Other symptoms include:

• Loose or Shaky Steering: You may feel excessive play or vibration in the steering wheel, especially at higher speeds.
• Vehicle Wandering: The Compass may feel like it's drifting or pulling to one side, requiring you to constantly correct the steering wheel to drive straight.
• Uneven Tire Wear: A bad tie rod end will throw off the wheel alignment, causing the inside or outside edge of your front tires 🎬 See this guide on how to diagnose and replace tie rods to wear out much faster than the rest of the tread.
• Popping or Clunking on Turns: You might hear a distinct pop or feel a jolt through the steering wheel during low-speed turns, like when parking.

Choosing the Right Aftermarket Tie Rod End

When replacing your tie rod ends, you have several options outside of the dealership. Aftermarket brands offer a range of quality and price points. Here’s a breakdown of the brands available for your Compass:

Premium & OE-Quality Brands ($70 - $176)

These brands aim to meet or exceed the original Mopar part's quality. They are a good choice for owners who want the best performance and longest life from their replacement parts.

• Mopar: This is the original equipment manufacturer. It's the benchmark for fit and quality but is also the most expensive option.
• Delphi: As a major OE supplier for many car brands, Delphi parts are known for their high quality and rigorous testing to match original specifications.
• Mevotech: A popular aftermarket brand with several quality tiers. Their 'Supreme' and 'TTX' (Tough Terrain Xtreme) lines are considered high-quality, durable options that often compete with or surpass other premium brands.
• Moog: Historically a top-tier choice, Moog's "Problem Solver" line is well-known. However, recent opinions are mixed, with some mechanics and users reporting a decline in quality compared to their older products. They can still be a good option, especially their greaseable designs.

Standard & Value Brands ($40 - $70)

These brands offer a good balance of price and quality for daily driving and normal use. They are often significant savings over OEM without being a "cheap" part.

• Dorman: Dorman is known for providing affordable alternatives to OEM parts and sometimes offers redesigned "OE FIX" parts that aim to correct flaws in the original design. Their quality is generally considered acceptable for most repairs.
• Crown Automotive: A brand that specializes in Jeep parts. Reviews are mixed; some find them to be a solid, affordable alternative to Mopar, while others have reported issues with fit and longevity.

Economy Brands ($21 - $40)

These are the most budget-friendly options. They will get the job done but may not have the same durability or advanced features (like premium coatings or greaseable joints) as higher-priced brands.

• QuickSteer
• Suspensia

Known Issues: Recalls and Service Bulletins

There are no specific recalls for steering tie rod ends on the 2017-2024 Jeep Compass. A recall for a power steering hose clamp (NHTSA 15V-878) applied only to the previous generation 2015 model year.

Several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) exist for the steering system, but not for tie rod failure:

• TSB 19-003-23: Addresses an issue where the steering wheel may be off-center on some 2022-2023 models. The fix involves a wheel alignment.
• TSB 08-251-24: For a noise heard when turning the steering wheel on 2023-2025 models, caused by a wiring harness rubbing.

Cost of Replacing a Jeep Compass Tie Rod End

Frequently Asked Questions