Tire Rods on an 89 DX

[CR50HC]

Hi folks. I'm back with another question for you. You guys/gals have never let me down yet so, here goes.

I just got a new set of tires for my 89 CRX DX today. The mechanic told me that my tire rods were shot and that I needed to replace them. The car still has the factory steel rims, and suspension set up at this point. I really like to keep things as factory as possible on my car. At this point in the car's life, what options do I have? Can I buy some used ones somewhere or should I look for new ones? How much should they cost?

Thanks for any advice!!


Troy

[BullShifter]

REPLACE THEM ASAP!!!!!!!!!! You know what happens when they break? Normally your tires are like this || after a tie rod breaks your tires do this \ / you loose steering to which ever side breaks, it's not good & very dangerous. You can get them from NAPA or Autozone anywhere but Pep Boys because they suck. They are pretty simple to install with basic tools BUT your car WILL need an alignment unless you know exactly what your doing.

Tips** Before removing scribe a line on the threads @ the end of tie rod & also count # of turns to remove. Install with the same amount of turns. 1 turn will throw the alignment off. The only problems with this is "most" aftermarket tie rods will differ from each other & Honda parts throwing you off slightly. In which case you need the alignment. Toe is what will be screwed up. Incorrect toe will cause major tire wear; more than too much negative camber, and a pull to one side or the other.

[91lxdreamer]

Hey jackasssi, thats great, I totally agree. CR5OHC, you need to get new parts, they arent that expensive man, seriously, just spend some money and do it right so you dont need to worry about this later on!

[CR50HC]

Thanks again for the advice guys! i will check my local parts stores and buy some new rods. If I were to get them installed somewhere (I don't have the proper tools or place to do the work) how much should I be looking to pay? The local tire store said $500.00... I think that's waaaaay toooo much....

[BullShifter]

$500.00, lol thats sounds VERY high, maybe they were high . . . Did they quote you for inner & outer tie rods or outers only?

I'm thinking labor is about 2hrs of labor for BOTH outer tie rods + alignment + parts + tax.

[toronto pimp]

If you're doing the inners they will probably have to be burnt off. I just did my inner/outer tie rods and lower ball joints PLUS new windshield for $490 canadian.

[EF You]

man forget doing the inner tie rods, that such a pain in the ass. i just put another steering rack in. then again, i have parts cars, so im not the typical 4th gen driver

[Magik Si]

A Tie rod "end" is EASY to change...I changed one the other day in about 15 minutes...you need two wrenches (17mm I think, or a 17 and a 19), you need a new cotter pin (new tie rod might come with one).
You'll need a jack, and a jack stand is a good safety measure too.
Jack up, take off wheel, remove old cotter pin, loosen castle nut (17mm). Go to other end of tie rod end and place two wrenches in the obvious locations...don't turn the side close to the engine...turn the tie rod end. Once loose, pull tie rod end from knuckle, unscrew from car....put on new one and reverse. Simple.

$500!!!! Sweet Geezuz! I bought my tie rod end for $26 CDN (with tax, aftermarket) and put it on in 15 minutes! At most at a shop if you bring in the tie rod end you should not pay for more than a half hour's labor!...maybe and hour tops!

Jason

[T-Mo]

I just got my outer tie rods done. They were $35 each side from my job, Advance Auto Parts. I paid my mechanic (on site) $40 to put the new ones on. I got a 4-wheel alignment today for $50.

Jackassi, that was SOOO true about the wearing of the tires. I did not know that it was gonna be that bad. My car was yanking to the left, straight, and then it would yank to the right. I really had to hold on to the steering wheel w/ both hands. When I got to the tire place for my alignment, the DS inside tire was ate up. I need tires ASAP.

I counted the turns when the mechanic took the tie rod ends off, but he didn't count the turns as he put them back on.

[Magik Si]

Originally Posted by T-Mo

I just got my outer tie rods done. They were $35 each side from my job, Advance Auto Parts. I paid my mechanic (on site) $40 to put the new ones on. I got a 4-wheel alignment today for $50.

Jackassi, that was SOOO true about the wearing of the tires. I did not know that it was gonna be that bad. My car was yanking to the left, straight, and then it would yank to the right. I really had to hold on to the steering wheel w/ both hands. When I got to the tire place for my alignment, the DS inside tire was ate up. I need tires ASAP.

I counted the turns when the mechanic took the tie rod ends off, but he didn't count the turns as he put them back on.

Now THAT pricing sounds a little more reasonable. As far as 'counting the turns'...it's not really necessary, you just have to snug up the tie rod manually with the wrench so that you don't have to turn it anymore, not moving the piece it's being screwed onto...besides, you had an alignment done afterwards.

Glad you solved your problems!

Jason

[T-Mo]

I had the alignment done 1.5 weeks later. :LOL: A sista is poor. I couldn't drive it because it was so bad.