A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD CAUSED LOST OF STEERING AND IMPACT INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE SPEED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE WAS BETWEEN 20 AND 25 MPH. A COMPLETE DISCONNECTION OF THE TIE ROD END, WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD, CAUSED COMPLETE LOST OF STEERING. AUTOMOBILE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY WHERE NEW TIE RODS WERE INSTALLED AND A SUBSEQUENT BODY SHOP WHERE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. PHOTOS OF THE FAILED COMPONENTS ARE AVAILABLE AS WELL AS PHOTOS OF THE SITE OF THE FAILURE. *JB