Replacing Outer Tie Rods....

I have a 99 Pontiac Grand Prix with 134800 miles and was given a quote to replace outer tie rod ends and an alignment, parts and labor 405.28. Just wondering if this is pretty standard price?

I have a 99 Pontiac Grand Prix with 134800 miles and was given a quote to replace outer tie rod ends and an alignment, parts and labor 405.28. Just wondering if this is pretty standard price?

No it is not a standard price but a rip off. Alignment runs around $60. You can get the outer tie rod ends for around $50 - $60 (pair) and do the work yourself. After replacing tie rods ends just get it over for the alignment. You can mark the tie rods before removing and get them back in a close position to drive it to the alignment shop.

That's not a bad price. A good quality tie-rod is going to run about $40-$50 each retail, and our cars require a 4 wheel alignment, which runs $80-$100 by itself. You have a couple hours labor in replacing the tie rods, so they're not getting you too bad. About the only part that may be high is if they're charging you list price on the tie rods (which is standard industry practice). Many places will not install parts brought by the customer, so you have to pay their mark-up.

That's not a bad price. A good quality tie-rod is going to run about $40-$50 each retail, and our cars require a 4 wheel alignment, which runs $80-$100 by itself. You have a couple hours labor in replacing the tie rods, so they're not getting you too bad. About the only part that may be high is if they're charging you list price on the tie rods (which is standard industry practice). Many places will not install parts brought by the customer, so you have to pay their mark-up.

Good price??? Maybe in your neck of the woods but not mine. A 4 point alignment on a Grand Prix is $59.95 at places like Firestone and just about every similar place. Firestone wants $200.00 including parts and labor to replace the outer tie rod ends. So that comes out to $259.95 plus sales tax. The general mechanic down the street said he will replace the tie rods for $80. You can get quality TRW tie rod ends off of EBay for $25.00 each.

Therefore the $405 sounds on the high side to me. Just my two cents worth. :2cents:

Since he lives in Texas it is a rip off even if he lives in a jerkwater town.

That is why I love this thread site, you get great feedback quickly. Thanks for your replies.

i had a passenger front outter tie rod replaced last year. parts/labor/alighment cost me $127

Well Bob, I agree that for those of us capable of doing the work, that's expensive, but many shops won't allow you to bring your own parts, so you have to pay their mark up. Just for grins, I called a couple places and was quoted $325 to $395 for the job, using Delco or Moog parts. Most places here in Michigan charge a minimum 1 hour labor (per side) and labor rates are $70-$100/hour up here. A 4 wheel alignment runs $69.95 to $99.95 at the chain shops. I guess a lot of it has to do with cost of living. Since many up here are UAW workers, they have more money than brains, so that boosts the cost.

Yeah and this does not take into account the tie rods are rusted/frozen to the inner tie rod. Common here in upstate NY.

Well Bob, I agree that for those of us capable of doing the work, that's expensive, but many shops won't allow you to bring your own parts, so you have to pay their mark up. Just for grins, I called a couple places and was quoted $325 to $395 for the job, using Delco or Moog parts. Most places here in Michigan charge a minimum 1 hour labor (per side) and labor rates are $70-$100/hour up here. A 4 wheel alignment runs $69.95 to $99.95 at the chain shops. I guess a lot of it has to do with cost of living. Since many up here are UAW workers, they have more money than brains, so that boosts the cost.

I agree geographical location is a major factor in prices. However, what one person finds acceptable is not to another. Unless the techs have enginering degrees to include a bunch of certifications their services are not worth $70 - $100 per hour. We are at a range of $40 - $60/hour. Now I see the wisdom of my father moving to the Sunbelt over 40 years ago. At least I don't have to take it up the rear end and then say thank you. Long live DIY!

BTW - Just think what the dealers would charge no matter where you live. In the State of Texas those labor rates would drive them out of business and fall under Deceptive Trade Practices.

I couldn't agree more Bob. The biggest thing is the shop owner makes more money on the part and the labor than the parts store selling it to him and the tech installing it.

Yeah and this does not take into account the tie rods are rusted/frozen to the inner tie rod. Common here in upstate NY.

Rust? What rust Max. The original poster lives in Texas just like me. We are undergoing a drought and I forgot what rust looks like....lol. :lol:

When I got home I checked my official Mitchell's Guide and checked the industry standard labor times for replacement of a specific part. For one outer tie rod end on a Grand Prix or just about any GM car for that matter it is .6 hours from start to finish. Total for two would be 1.2 hours. :eek:

Keep in mind that this does not include alignment. It is tie rod replacement only.

When I got home I checked my official Mitchell's Guide and checked the industry standard labor times for replacement of a specific part. For one outer tie rod end on a Grand Prix or just about any GM car for that matter it is .6 hours from start to finish. Total for two would be 1.2 hours. :eek:

Keep in mind that this does not include alignment. It is tie rod replacement only.
1 out'a 3 here is a problem with being frozen, like any underchassis work!!

1 out'a 3 here is a problem with being frozen, like any underchassis work!!

Oh I don't doubt that Shep. My family is from Atlantic City, New Jersey so I am aware of the situation up North.

However, it is still no excuse to be charging outrageous labor costs.

BTW - I'd hate to see what the shops charge in NYC. :shakehead

Common practice up here is to round up labor to the next full hour. So .6 per side turns into 1 per side, 2 total. I love the little lines at the bottom of a repair invoice like shop supplies, tool usage, beer break, etc.... that jacks up the price even higher. That's why I'm glad I can do my own repairs.

Common practice up here is to round up labor to the next full hour. So .6 per side turns into 1 per side, 2 total. I love the little lines at the bottom of a repair invoice like shop supplies, tool usage, beer break, etc.... that jacks up the price even higher. That's why I'm glad I can do my own repairs.

Rich, you know as well as I do that it doesn't take that much time to replace an outer tie rod end. Not counting any rust situation I can do the work in 15 minutes flat which includes jack up time and removing the wheel.

But check this out. Without a discount my buddy Oscar at Alamo Automotive in El Paso will replace the 2 outer tie rod ends on any GM car for $50.00. Plus he has an alignment machine and will do a complete alignment for $39.99. And he will use any parts supplied by the owner of the car. He is a former Mr. Goodwrench Master type (Chevrolet) that went into independent business over 20 years ago. The bottom line is you have to shop around.

BTW - It is very competitive down here when it comes to auto repairs but I like it especially on the days my back isn't feeling too good. Nice to know you have someone you trust to take it to. :grinyes:

Count the number of turns when taking off the tie rod ends and put that number somewhere.Check the balljoints and other supension pieces before taking to an alignment.I know one certian place in my area that likes to replace ball joints for no reason at all.I have seen this,my father checks over for a second opinion for customers and finds out the ball joints are still good.Some places will rip you off.

Yeah and this does not take into account the tie rods are rusted/frozen to the inner tie rod. Common here in upstate NY.
HEY! happy to see another upstate new yorker here. I live in the syacuse area. and actually had my tie rod outers done by a local shop here for i'd wanna say around 130, that was just the passenger front side. then allignment ontop of that. Im pretty lucky with the minimal amount of rust i'd had to sand off and repaint for the cars 6th winter of salt