I don't know how you came to the conclusion that the tie rod is a link in the suspension, but I disagree. You can leave the tie rod laying on the shop floor and still have fully functional "suspension", as defined in the GCR technical glossary - "A mechanical system of components controlling vertical motion and connecting the axle housing and wheels to the chassis of a car."
IMO, the tie rod does not meet the first of two requirements in that definition.
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