Outer Tie Rod Replacement

**Tailg8er** · 03-24-2012, 01:32 PM

Got a question for you Cyclone mechanics...

I have an '06 Dodge Stratus. I just got new tires put on at Firestone, & they said my left outer tie rod end is REALLY bad & should be replaced. They are wanting to charge ~$300 for the whole job:
-$120 for the tie rod end
-$80 for the labor
-$80 for alignment

Well, the actual part at Napa is ~$23.... I've seen a few YouTube videos of it being done in about 15 minutes...

My question is would you think a relatively novice mechanic like myself could pull this off just based off of YouTube instructions? Are there any things I might encounter that might catch me off guard? How important is it to get an alignment done after the repair is made?

Thanks for any help.

**BCClone** · 03-24-2012, 01:53 PM

Has to be aligned period. If you don't your tires will wear odd and the life will be cut so it will cost you more in the longrun. The actual replacement isn't bad, you can do that yourself, just get it aligned as quickly afterwards as possible.

**ISUAlum2002** · 03-24-2012, 02:11 PM

If you're patient, you can fine tune the alignment on your own after the replacement. It's only a tie rod.....you can measure the distance from your inner tie rod to the steering knuckle before you replace it, then get it close with the new one and do some test drives and adjustments.

I just replaced an outer tie rod on my Trailblazer, and I didn't even have to put it up in the air to make the adjustments.

If you were replacing a ball joint, I'd definitely recommend getting the alignment afterward.

**AIBClone** · 03-24-2012, 03:12 PM

Like posted above it would just be a matter of measuring. You could mark the old one with a sharpie so you can judge where to put the new one.

**fnclone** · 03-25-2012, 06:18 PM

Measuring the old tie rod doesn't necessarily mean it is aligned properly. You got screwed on parts, but having your alignment done properly is the way to go.

**ISUCubswin** · 03-25-2012, 06:42 PM

Just make sure you have another car shop check it. I've had it happen twice where a car shop has told me my tire rod is going down, and both times I went to two seperate shops that told me it was absolutely fine.

**ISUAlum2002** · 03-25-2012, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by fnclone

Measuring the old tie rod doesn't necessarily mean it is aligned properly.

No, it doesn't. But it gives you a starting point to make the adjustments to fine tune it. As long as you're only changing one side, it's relatively easy to get it back in alignment if you're patient. Change both sides at the same time, and you definitely have to get the alignment done.