new or used tie-rods??
 

i went to get da maz aligned, and it turns out i need new tie-rod ends. they quoted me about $300 for new ones and to have them installed. my question is, would used ones work??

$300 US???????????

New tie rod ends should be about $25 a piece :eek:

I bought some jobber ones from Napa auto parts for $35 canuck bucks a piece, put them on in about 30mins, and was driving in 45 (after doing a close-enough alignment)

Now all I have to do is pay for a wheel alignment...


Jeff

NEW. Do NOT put used joints into your steering system.

But they're hosing you @ that price. I got new ends through the shop that fixed the rods for $25 apiece (CDN)

their price was about $37 a piece for each inner and outer. the $300 was including labor and an alignment, so it's more like $180 for the inner and outer tie-rod ends and adjustment peices for both sides.
mazdatrix sells each peice for like $45 each, which is more than the alignment shop quoted.

is this correct then. . .
putting used steering parts on is a "no-no"
if i go to an autoparts store, i can get cheap ends

hmmmm......

go to the auto parts store, you'll get the pieces for about half the price

put 'em on yourself, count the threads, and then drive to the alignment shop to get the wheel alignment done

even if you're a complete mechanical putz, it should only take you about 2 hours altogether to do the inner and outer tie rods.

Jeff

While you're at it, pick up the connecting threaded rod that goes between the tie rods. Those get rusted/crudded pretty bad and make alignment a tougher job. I replaced mine and was glad for it when I did my own alignment. :D

Jeff's right, just remember to count the threads or measure the distance of the ends so you can get the intial set up close. Go auto parts store or VictoriaBritish, they're both cheaper than mazdatrix.

how difficult is it to remove the old parts?

$300. You show ask them if they are going to kiss you first.;) I just did mine with all new parts from Advance and didn't spend anything. All the front suspension parts have Lifetime Warranties on them and I did mine years ago. Simply pulled everything off and returned them for replacement. I think the price for the parts is about $100 tops. Definately worth looking into if you are planning on keeping the car for the long haul.

$300 better include installation and alignment!

Usually if they do all four tie-rod ends the estimate includes the price of the adjuster, since it's easier to just change the whole assembly instead of taking the old stuff apart and putting together with new. Likewise, there should also be a labor charge brake as well, since it takes a lot less time. (It costs less to replace the adjuster, than it does to piece together the old stuff). Make sure they're giving you the labor break if that's what they're doing.

$300 should then be $50 or so for alignment, $250 for the front-end work... say $60 labor for the replacement, that's then $190 for parts... say $30-35 each tie-rod and adjuster for everything.

edit: i didn't see your xplanation adsoccer... looks like my back of envelope breakdown of where $300 is going is spot-on then eh? :)

having recently done most of this work, I would replace both inner and outer ends and the adjusters on both mesure the spacing on the old ones to get it as close as possable then get it pro aligned. it isn't all that hard to do just take your time. and rember to replace all the pins with new ones don't reuse the old ones they are cheap as hell so don't skimp you'll regreat it. one other thing to check at the same time is the conditon of the idler arm bushings, my upper and lower busshings were totaly gone. so the arm had alot of play up and down and side to side. makes the car drive like crap.

peejay, you were pretty much right on about the price

well, i took off the outer ends and adjustment sleeves on both sides today, i'm putting on new ones tomorrow ($25 for each end, $9 for each adjustment sleeve). i'll look at the idler arm bushings tommorrow, and i don't plan on replacing the inner tie rod ends, they seem in good enough shape.

Muahaha, I love quoting myself to prove a point :D

Now all I need is revhead's victory dance smiley :D

Jeff