Tie rod replacement

You can replace the tie rods yourself and then get an alignment. Tie rods are adjusted when you get an alignment so you don't have to be exact when replacing them. They unbolt - just screw the new ones back on to the same spot the old ones used - it'll be close enough.

Costs per side: outer rod end, C$40, tie-rod incl inner joint, C$80. Total $240, plus $50 alignment, + 1.5 hours labour, $60, so $320 is about right.

Question is whether or not the inner tie-rod ends are worn enough to need replacing at all, esspecially on a 99. I've never had to replace the tie-rods on any of my cars, and even my two 93's have the original rods after 200,000km including winters. I've replaced plenty of outer tie rod ends. I've also read many reports of people being told the inner rods ends have to be replaced.

I'd BET that all you need is new tie-rod ends. Get a second opinion from another garage.

Stewart DIBBS

Tie rods if ya turn off old ones say 13 times then turn new ones on the same, as for wheel alignment you can get 4 1/4 inch bits of steel on flat ground and grab 18 3/4 ball bearings on flat ground jack up front of car and place 1 bit of steel plate under each wheel, then halve the bearings and then put other 2 bits of steel of top of bearings, then let the car down, wheels then should be able to be moved omni direction, now affix a soirit level to the rim of each front wheel and watch bubble, if you have wound on new tie rod ends ample, the bubble should be level then do other side wheel the same. It wont give a perfect wheel alignment but will be close, i am a tyre fitter by trade and have come across alot of little self checking you can do at home, but you still may need to have a proper wheel alignment done by a expert

Hope this helps

Peter

Thanks for the help, rather do it myself then pay that much.