tie rod ends...

[no guns here]

the inspector says my tie rod ends on the right side are bad...

Can I replace just the right side or should I replace both sides at the same time?
I have to know what to order...

Thanks,
NGH

[SHOOTALL]

Replace the bad one .

[45454]

You should replace both.Cheap insurance.
As, the left one isn't far behind to go bad.

[SHOOTALL]

Why is it going bad ?

[Questor]

It depends on whether you think it's normal wear or whether it's due to a collision of some kind. If you think it's normal wear, then do them both. If you hit a curb or something lately, just do the one you think you damaged.

[DDZ]

You should replace both.Cheap insurance.
As, the left one isn't far behind to go bad.

I agree, replace both sides. Especially if you have over 60,000 on the vehicle They generally do not cost that much and the labor is not expensive, because it doesn't take long to replace them. Do get it realigned after replacing any tie rod ends.  

[SHOOTALL]

Why not inspect them for play and replace the one/s that need replacing ?

[myronman3]

because you are nickel and diming yourself, that is why.  save yourself another trip to the mechanic and just do both.

[SHOOTALL]

Well I maintain  over 40 trucks and can't remember only replacing the one that was defective and having to go back and replace another . To be honest we seldom have to replace tie rod ends . Ball joints on the other hand we do . If you know how to test a tie rod end and it has no play it is fine , of course on pre 70 models you should grease all joints before testing .

[Old Syko]

Depends on the kind of vehicle we're talking about.  If a truck or some type of vehicle with conventional steering, replace only what needs to be replaced.  If it is a vehicle with rack and pinion steering, replace them all at the same time.

[no guns here]

2005 Suburban 1500
65,000 miles
4x4
no wrecks
no reason to suspect anything other than normal wear


I ordered 2 inner and 2 outer tie rod ends last night

since my shoulder is down from the surgery, I'll have to take it to a shop to have them installed.

Sucks since labor is 85 EURO per hour.  That's somewhere around $120/hour.  I'd wait a month and do it myself but my registration will go out by then if I can't pass inspection and then the MP's will take my tags and then it just gets into a big old stupid mess.

NGH

[mbopp]

2004 Envoy, 62,000 miles and a bad outer tie rod. I replaced it myself and got lucky - the place that does my alignments said it was in spec and if they don't put a wrench to it they don't charge you.

[Lloyd Smale]

like was said replace them both. there normal wear items especially if you frequent real bumppy roads or run oversized tires.. the truck i take to camp all the time will need them repaced every couple years.

[Lloyd Smale]

double post

[no guns here]

Allright... well got all four brakes changed, the oil changes and left and right inner and outer tie rod ends done in four hours.  Had to get a bit of help since I couldn't use my arm too much.  But between the wife, me, and a helper we got it all done.  Even drove straight and didn't pull.  Took it to the alignment place and paid them 70Euro to confirm that it was straight.  Cool...


Thanks,
NGH