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So...tie rod failure would be what...bad?

C

conjur

No Lifer
Just had to replace a tire (had a nail in it and my nephew drove it while quite flat and the sidewall was torn up some) and the guy at the shop said my tie rods are very bad and need to be replaced ($380 for both). Which, of course, to an unemployed person is a bit of a problem
rolleye.gif


So, I'm assuming if I don't replace them that failure would result in, what? Loss of steering?
 
IIRC, if it goes, there goes yer steering. Had to have mine replaced a year ago, and while having my brakes done yesterday, they tell me it's bad again.... :| :| :|
 
Well...I'm taking it in Monday morning...not going to risk it.

<sigh>

Afraid to ask what else will go wrong. Already it's had an engine rebuild (in '99), transmission rebuilt last fall (and it's leaking), power steering has gone out twice this yr (they've replaced the belts both times), A/C went out in the hottest 2 weeks this past summer.

OMG!!! OH NO! AIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! NOOOOOO!O!OO!O!!!!
 
That is where the steering linkage connects with the wheel to change it's direction. A worn Tie rod end will make the alignment vary, dynamically, as the wheel rotates. Makes the tire wear quicker. Not necessarily something that needs attention (based on situation as written) , but don't want to ignore it.
 
It's a '96 Chrysler Sebring JX (convertible).

Officially, my last American-mfr vehicle. My next car is most likely going to be an Audi A6 or a Benz CLK...depends on if I want a drop-top or not 😉
 
Originally posted by: conjur
Well...I'm taking it in Monday morning...not going to risk it.

<sigh>

Afraid to ask what else will go wrong. Already it's had an engine rebuild (in '99), transmission rebuilt last fall (and it's leaking), power steering has gone out twice this yr (they've replaced the belts both times), A/C went out in the hottest 2 weeks this past summer.

OMG!!! OH NO! AIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! NOOOOOO!O!OO!O!!!!
Click to expand...
Sounds like a domestic 🙂

Edit; Reading your last post I geuss it is. Sucks with all that bad luck 🙁
 
That sounds like a high price to pay for tie-rod replacement, even though it should include an alignment. Previous posters are correct; worn tie-rods will result in excessive tire wear, and tie-rod failure will result in loss of control of the car.
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: conjur
Well...I'm taking it in Monday morning...not going to risk it.

<sigh>

Afraid to ask what else will go wrong. Already it's had an engine rebuild (in '99), transmission rebuilt last fall (and it's leaking), power steering has gone out twice this yr (they've replaced the belts both times), A/C went out in the hottest 2 weeks this past summer.

OMG!!! OH NO! AIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! NOOOOOO!O!OO!O!!!!
Click to expand...
Sounds like a domestic 🙂

Edit; Reading your last post I geuss it is. Sucks with all that bad luck 🙁
Click to expand...

Sounds like bad workmanship... but then again, DC dealers bite monkey balls.... 5 star rating, shhyeah right...
$380 sounds a bit high for tie rods... if that doesn't include labor I'd be severely pissed (considering $70/hr labor)... and even then, that's REALLY pricey. Domestics are supposed to be cheap to fix!
 

<--- Ex-Dodge/Jeep mechanic of 10+ years.



Yes, if your tie rod breaks... it's very bad. But here's the problem:

EVERY tire shop (and the vast majority of front end mechanics) make a living off of replacing tie rod ends. As you can see, they get a significant amount of money for about one hour worth of work (if it even takes them that long).

I've seen mechanics/shops rip off customers time and time again, by replacing tie rods that weren't bad.

You need to get a second opinion from someone you trust. There's a very good chance that there's really nothing wrong with them. I would be shocked if your '96 car was in desperate need of tie rods.

(If you want to check for yourself, and have access to a jack, send me a pm and I'll walk you through it.)
 
It's from a tire dealer...The $380 covers everything: parts, labor, alignment.

My dad gave me a place to call on Monday that is supposed to be quite reputable (he worked there for a bit shortly after retiring from GE)...Soooo....I'll give them a call.

Thanks, folks.

wingznut,

I've been told by the dealer and the tire place and I saw them moving the wheel to show the play. And, I've noticed over the last couple of months that there is play in the steering before it actually takes effect.
 
What shop did you take it to? It is common place for some shops to recommend replacement even when none is necessary. They get commissions for selling service. If business is slow they try to sell harder...that is cheat you!

IF, big IF, you are not experiencing tire wear or wobbles in the steering wheel, tell the NO THANKS!

Take the car to a different shop and get an estimate or have a somewhat knowledgeable friend jack the car up and ask him to look at the tierods.

Off hand, I'd estimate one third of repairs suggested at some shops are not needed!

Btw, tie rods rarely if ever fail completely...
 
The tie rods go for around $50 each. But even then the price is high, and I am a mechanic.

Go to another shop and ask them to look at them and see what they say.

Tie Rods are very easy to replace, and make a shop a lot of money.

Also is this the shop that did all the other work? If so run and get another mechanic FAST!!!
 
Originally posted by: Tominator
Btw, tie rods rarely if ever fail completely...
Click to expand...
I agree... I don't think I saw a single complete tie rod failure in my entire career.

Originally posted by: Tominator
Off hand, I'd estimate one third of repairs suggested at some shops are not needed!
Click to expand...
I'll bet it's higher than that. And I think you guys would be shocked if you knew how many "up-sold" repairs aren't even performed.

What I wouldn't do to see some journalist delve into the industry and open up all it's dirty secrets.

John Stossel, give me a call! 🙂

 
Originally posted by: Wingznut
Originally posted by: Tominator
Btw, tie rods rarely if ever fail completely...
Click to expand...
I agree... I don't think I saw a single complete tie rod failure in my entire career.

Originally posted by: Tominator
Off hand, I'd estimate one third of repairs suggested at some shops are not needed!
Click to expand...
I'll bet it's higher than that. And I think you guys would be shocked if you knew how many "up-sold" repairs aren't even performed.

What I wouldn't do to see some journalist delve into the industry and open up all it's dirty secrets.

John Stossel, give me a call! 🙂
Click to expand...

When I had my O2 sensor replaced and anti roll bar arms replaced, they said that my strut needed replacing... The suspension feels fine.
 
...next car is most likely going to be an Audi A6 or a Benz...

Hah! Wait till you price parts on those suckers!

I agree with Wingznut & Tominator about the second opinion. The parts can't be that much. Marlin said $50.00 each. Damn, that's import type prices! I'd figure closer to $20.00 each and maybe double that for the center link. Been a long damn time since I had to replace front linkage, 'cause I drive truck chassis grade Ford sedans! I've had two tie rod ends go completely. One was on a '69 Chevy and the other was a '78 Town Car. The Chevy's wheel flipped out sideways, the Town Car was able to drive home about 1/2 mile and even make a couple 90 degree turns!

Not sure how that Chrysler is put together, but with a proper sized pickle fork you should be able to replace it in about 45 minutes.
 
My parents had to (well, at least that's what the shop told them, but after reading this thread I'm not really sure if it was true...) replace the tie rods on their Ford tempo (and I swear, I'm never getting a Ford). It was expensive, but nowhere near that amount!

FWIW, I was driving a tractor (a rather old one) about a year ago when the tie rods came disconnected from the front wheels. Needless to say, it wasn't pretty, but at least I didn't get hurt; I'd hate to see what it would be like if the tie rods failed in a car going 65+ mph down an interstate highway.

<-- not knowledgable about cars at all, but is slowly learning from reading the car threads in ATOT 😉
 
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