The last few days have been interesting... and expensive. Try to follow...FRIDAY: While out and about, I was really starting to worry about the car shuddering under hard braking. Also noticed the front end was getting really loud.
SATURDAY: We finally took off the snow tires. Noticed front right brake rotor looked a bit warped. Rear brake pads need to be replaced. But worst of all, left tie rod end VERY loose. I mean bad. MONDAY: tie rod ends replaced, made appointment for alignment next day
TUESDAY: dropped ar off for alignment at 7:45AM. Went for half hour walk. When I got back, the car was on the rack, but not aligned. I was told there was a bad ball joint on the right side. They told me it would be a waste of money to align it, then get the ball joint repaired, only to need another alignment. Got quote for job, about $200 installed. Drove to Taxi Guy. Said to leave car there. Mom picked me up, went to Friendly's for breakfast. Passed shop less than an hour later, and car is being backed out. All done. Drove to alignment shop, made appointment for next day. 
It is generally not recommended to re-install any components removed during the installation. An alternative to labeling the placement of the tie rods is to measure the distance spanned by the tie rod assembly as a whole.
ReplyDeleteLook for a tie rod end that has superior durability. If you want to make sure that your replacement tie rod end can handle the stress that comes with its function, you must get the product that is made from heavy-duty raw materials.
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