Tie Rod advice for an '03

[D Perry]

I have an '03 Job 2 with 118,000 mi on it and recently had a bunch of general upkeep work done on it.



Today I had new tires installed and the guy calls and says that it needs an alignment and he said it was out pretty bad.



The truck has never pulled to one side or another so I thought that was a little strange but I guess it's possible. He then calls and tells me that it needs new tie rods and that the current ones won't hold the adjustment.



Something seems fishy when I talk to this guy and although he may be correct I just don't feel comfortable dealing with them so I told him to put everything back the way it was and I will take it to my regular place to have them look at it.



I guess my question is, does that seem right to those of you out there "in the know"? And if so, what can I expect to pay (roughly) to have them replaced?



I've just put $1500.00 into it (brakes, shocks, plugs, oil change, tires, hoses) and need to budget accordingly.



Thanks in advance.

 

[Rachel Z]

The parts are no more the $60.00 Labor is about 1 hour..... if it is the Outer tie rods



If the inners it is more money and time....



Have your place look it over.... Or check them your self if you know how..



Todd Z

 

[D Perry]

Thanks, Todd.



Quick question....when the guy at the Tire Shop said "they wouldn't hold" what is he referring to?

 

[Rachel Z]

Some times if an alignment is done on worn parts it will not stay in spec..... Basically you dont align with bad or worn parts..



Todd Z

 

[D Perry]

Todd, you are an encyclopedia of knowledge on here.



Thank you very much for your replies.

 

[EddieS'04]

Ditto Todd. Also 188K miles on tie rods that you cant lube. I would think they are worn.

 

[Jeffksf B]

If your still on the original ball joints plan on those being worn out as well.

 

[D Perry]

Jeff,



Yes, they're the originals. They did not mention them when checking the alignment but should I go ahead and do it anyway? At 118K I'm not opposed to doing it now in order to avoid bigger problems later.



Also, can the ball joints be replaced (top and bottom) or do I need to replace the entire control arm assemblies?



Thanks again everyone.

 

[Rachel Z]

Welcome man.... Let us know how you make out



Todd Z

 

[EddieS'04]

Plex. lower ball joints press in and out. Uppers replace the control arm assy.

 

[D Perry]

Update: Amazingly, ball joints appear to be fine according to the tech guy.



As far as the tie rod ends go, they wanted to charge me $70.00 each for the them and I knew they buy parts from NAPA so I went and bought them myself and took the parts to them. I explained to the guy that I wasn't trying to take money out of their pocket but I was trying to keep money in mine. He didn't have a problem with it and installed this morning.



Good to go.



Thanks again everyone for your help. This is a great board and I've used the info on here many times over the past 7+ years.