For all you Camry experts out there..can anyone advise on level of difficulting in changing out tie rods inner and outer for 99 camry? Is it safe to perform a DIY tie rod change and the drive a few blocks to have alignment done? any specail tools needed? Thanks!
just count the exposed threads to get them back close to the original length - fi you're changing the tie rod ends, you should use a puller - Harbor Freight has tie rod end pullers for $6.95 in my area, or ck. harborfreight.com
just curious, how did you determine they need replacement?
Took car in for service at Pep Boys for a misfire diagnosis and repair (was on the road or I would fixed it my self). They poked around and suggested that tie rods very in very bad shape and wanted $950 to fix! just paid the $100 for the tune up and got the hell out of there.
I suggest you get a second opinion. I have not had good luck with Pep Boys. davidj92
Peraxctly. Toyota has a reputation for using high endurance parts. My '96 has 173,000 ks and the discernable movement in the outer tie-rod-ends is not discernable.
If you want to check them for yourself,..jack up one front wheel at a time. Once off the ground, grovel around so you can see the tierod, then get someone to apply a back and forth movement on the road wheel in the horizontal plane. Prior, youmay need to have the front wheels pointing a steering-wheel turn or so off central to see the tierod properly. Any movement of the peg which is not followed by the tierod housing, is wear.
Jason.
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