Most automotive parts survive years and years of use no matter what kind of driving is being exhibited by the owner. But due to some unavoidable conditions, these parts, especially the tiny delicate ones easily suffer wear and tear and therefore need early replacement.
Tie rods are just an example of these tiny parts that are as significant as the others, but can undergo the worst breakage. If you are reading this and currently needing a tie rod fix, you might be wondering how this will affect your budget. So the question is, “How much does tie rod replacement cost?”
The good news is, a tie rod replacement is not as expensive as compared with more complex auto parts. On a good estimate, the basic tie rod repair price ranges from around $175 to around $400. This price range is inclusive of both the parts and the labor fees. The breakdown is as follows:
Estimated cost of tie rod parts – $35 to $130
Estimated cost for labor – $140 to $195
The most part of the average price goes to the labor cost. The cost of tie rod parts only begins from around $350 and reaches up to $130 only. So basically, high spending will most likely be caused by seeking for professional help. If you do the repair on your own, it could save you hundreds of bucks.
What’s a Tie Rod?
A tie rod is defined as a rod that puts together any building or structure or a vehicle’s gears. Specifically for automotive purposes, it is used to tie the parts of the car’s steering system. The rack and pinion holds these tie rods to help move the wheels. According to auto stuff works, “they help push and pull the front tires as the steering wheel is turned.”
Any minor accident can cause the tie rods to not perform well. When a driver goes into a bumpy obstacle or simply when the driver runs along a road that has poor structure, these steering parts adds to the inability of the vehicle to function properly.
How to Know If the Tie Rods Need Repair or Replacement?
As per Your Mechanic, there are a number of warning signs that you should be on the lookout for to know whether you need to call up your mechanic.
One of these signs includes the seemingly off alignment of the front end of your vehicle. When you start noticing that your car drifts either to the left or to the right, even when you are directing it straight, it may be because the rods are already loose.
Secondly, a more obvious sign would be when your wheels already feel shaky when you are on the road. It is possible that your rods, that should be solid, are already pulled apart due to overuse. This is a rather dangerous sign to watch out for. When this happens, do not hesitate to consider replacement.
Lastly is when your tires become worn in an uneven form. You will know that the rods are functioning incorrectly when one tire differs from the other in terms of wear and tear. You use all wheels at the same time, which means they should wear out at the same time.
Are you starting to notice these mentioned warning signs? If yes, then surely your rods are now giving you the go signal to call for repair help.
Doing The Replacement by Yourself
If you are already in the know with automotive repairs, you will be able to do this in just a matter of hours (or even minutes if you are that quick). All you will need is a set of the basic repair tools, the tie rods, and some patience.
However, if you are not that used to this yet and you are still doing a research on how to go about it, then you will need a step-by-step guide to make it work. Here is a list of the fundamentals:
- Verify that the tie rod(s) are bad.
- Remove the road wheel.
- Remove and replace the tie rod end(s).
- Inspect the suspension and steering systems for any worn or damaged parts.
- Reinstall the wheels.
- Test drive vehicle.
If you do not feel like doing things manually, then you could always call for help. It would be better if you have a trusted mechanic when the going gets rough like this, but if you don’t, you may ask for a friend’s referral. This way you will feel more confident handing over the job.
There are different automotive repair shops scattered all over the states. They receive inquiries from their hotlines and website. Some of them even offer services for 24 hours, seven days a week. You only have to pick the store that’s right for you in terms of distance and performance.
Your Mechanic offers a 12-month warranty and 12,000-mile guarantee for most of their repair services. They give out a 30% discount on the tie rod repair price too. Plus, for more convenience, you could ask for a home service wherein the mechanic goes to your home.
Meanwhile, Pep Boys, another well-known auto repair shop also offers a 30% discount for all online purchases of auto parts and accessories. You just have to sign up and create your own account on their website and then use the designated promo code to avail of the discount. They also offer free shipping for when you settle your orders online.
To sum it all up, if you are still asking “How much does tie rod replacement cost?” then you have a ton of options. You have to pick the most convenient and the most economical of all. Do research and your problem’s solved.