Posted: 11/8/2016 10:16:36 AM EDT
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I just dropped my truck off (2006 Chevy Colorado, 150,000 miles) at a tire shop to get 4 new tires. They're telling me the drivers side left outer tire rod is bad. They want $160 plus labor to fix it.
Am I getting scammed/ripped off? |
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The count turns business is good for getting the vehicle to an alignment shop, and that price probably includes that work.
If not, it is high by about $100 for the rod end, a high quality end. Some tie rods are a little more complicated to remove than "twist 'er off", a tool is required to hold the rack. |
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The stock OEM tie rods on this truck do not have a grease port. So they go bad after so many miles. The moogs are way better than OEM and all you need are very basic hand tools to replace them. You can replace both sides for less than $50 then go get an alignment and still be under $160
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I doubt they will only charge you just one hour of labor but that's the longest it should take to change it out and do an alignment.
If you feel comfortable with it you can get under the truck and change it out and then you will need to get an alignment. It's a very simple replacement if nothing is blocking your access to it. You will just need a set of pliers or just a thin screwdriver to pull the pin out and a simple set of tools to get it off. Unscrew the tie rod and mark and measure and remember where the old tie rod was sitting and don't drive it anywhere afterward until you drive it to get the alignment done. It's one of those things you realize afterward that you just saved yourself some serious money doing yourself and you gain confidence in doing other repairs. Go to YouTube and watch a few videos to learn how easy it is to replace one. If you can turn a lug nut to change a flat tire and don't mind laying under your truck for 15 minutes it's an easy fix. |
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Are they going to re align it with the included labor or total price? They should give the whole cost and what's included. Not $160.00 plus labor, whatever that is. Don't agree at least until they shoot you a total price. This makes sense to me. |
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Ok I just called back. Now it's $96 all together. Apparently $160 included an alignment as well but that was already accounted for.
So $96 installed. Seem fair to me as I'd probably spend half a day trying to figure out what the hell I was doing. Edit: Thank you all for your responses. |
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Ok I just called back. Now it's $96 all together. Apparently $160 included an alignment as well but that was already accounted for. So $96 installed. Seem fair to me as I'd probably spend half a day trying to figure out what the hell I was doing. That's called.. "feeling you out" They would have charged you the higher price but you didn't take the bait. |
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You can still do both for less than $50 by yourself. here is a how to video. |
| You need to clarify what the 160$ includes in parts...if it's just the tie rod, then yes you are being taken ....if it includes an alignment that's different...no self respecting shop will just "count the turns" and call it good on steering/suspension work without at least recommending an alignment...they may just automatically do an alignment since they are on the hook with the tires as well...(as far as your satisfaction as to how long they last..toe out is off and they'll scrub off quick) |
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That's called.. "feeling you out" They would have charged you the higher price but you didn't take the bait. Quoted:
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Ok I just called back. Now it's $96 all together. Apparently $160 included an alignment as well but that was already accounted for. So $96 installed. Seem fair to me as I'd probably spend half a day trying to figure out what the hell I was doing. That's called.. "feeling you out" They would have charged you the higher price but you didn't take the bait. arfcom for the save. |
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Are they going to re align it with the included labor or total price? They should give the whole cost and what's included. Not $160.00 plus labor, whatever that is. Don't agree at least until they shoot you a total price. This. Get a specific labor quote, too. |
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Mechanic here. You need an alignment. You can do it yourself and count the turns and all that crap but it most likely won't be right and will eat your tires up. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile +1 Doesn't matter if the vehicle doesn't "pull" or otherwise feel out of alignment, the only way it will be aligned is pure luck, and the consequence of ignoring an alignment will be the cost for a repeat of the work plus tires. |
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+1 Doesn't matter if the vehicle doesn't "pull" or otherwise feel out of alignment, the only way it will be aligned is pure luck, and the consequence of ignoring an alignment will be the cost for a repeat of the work plus tires. Quoted:
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Mechanic here. You need an alignment. You can do it yourself and count the turns and all that crap but it most likely won't be right and will eat your tires up. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile +1 Doesn't matter if the vehicle doesn't "pull" or otherwise feel out of alignment, the only way it will be aligned is pure luck, and the consequence of ignoring an alignment will be the cost for a repeat of the work plus tires. Was getting an alignment regardless as I'm having 4 new tires put on and I know my alignment is off. The second quote I got was $96 for parts and labor. All together for alignment, 4 new Cooper tires (225/75/15) and the tire rod I'm looking at $610. I feel like I did pretty well. Also, they had the thing done before lunch and I dropped it off without an appointment. |
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Well, replacing the tie rod is relatively easy.
You might need to get a tie rod puller, which can be rented for free from Auto Zone or Advance Auto. The threaded bolt isn't easily separated after removing the castle nut, so the tool is used to separate them. Anyway, you want to screw the new tie rod on at the exact same location as the old one, or your alignment will be off. Or you can get it as close as possible and then bring it in to get a 4-wheel alignment job. |
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I replaced both tie-rod ends on my F-150 at 50,000.
$45 ea. 
200,000 on the truck now and 55,000 on this set of tires now and they're wearing fine. I aligned it myself - warm on the outside = too much toe-in - warm on the inside = too much toe-out. My buddy aligned their NW Tour car the same way, but they never won much. YMMV 
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