so firestone told me after they aligned my wheels that my left tie-rod is loose, preventing them from properly aligning my left front end. they got it as close as possible, but also quoted a replacement at $280.

Now, I've done strut/spreing replacements on my older VW's, and am cuious if the tie-rod replacement is a complex deal. My manual (chilton - I know, pretty pathetic) covers everything but the tie-rod replacement. Although I see from some of the overall photos where it is and how to get at them.

Anyone done this procedure before?

Thanks in advance.

artizen

$280 is very high even if it includes the alignment afterward. There is an inner tie rod (track rod), and an outer on each side. One or the other should not cost you any more than $50 for the part, and labor to replace it should be 30-40 minutes.

I've replaced inner and outer on my 98 V70, and both are straightforward procedures. Get yourself a haynes manual. www.ipdusa.com sells them for our cars.


BB

If I could butt in, I just had an estimate done fo my car, tie rods $224 Ball joints $227 Control arms (bushings and such) $408 and $70 for align.

Overpaying?? Hey I love to do work on a car, But I have never done the contol arms before, and It gets worked on Wednesday afetrnoon.

LEt me know your thoughts.

'97 Volvo s90

I'm not familiar with the 90 series in terms of parts, but if that includes installation with Volvo parts, sounds ok. $70 for an alignment is about right.

BB

Hi V70BB,

can you tell me if you had to use locking washers to secure inner tie rods to the steering rack? If yes did they come with the tie rods you ordered?

Thanks

Hi Kilou,

No lock washers on the ones I took off or the ones that I replaced (I have a SMI type rack with the 16mm OD inner tie rod threads). Just tighten thoroughly, and if you want some peace of mind, use locktite red.

If you have a TRW type rack, it could be different, but I doubt it.

BB

thanks bb. you confirmed my suspicion of a ripoff. oh, and he also reminded me of my lifetime alignment (which is why I was there to begin with), so that price does not include alignment.

I'll get the Haynes manual before I begin.

In the Classified ads I have both left and right for sale