Advice on a mechanic's estimate???

[SilverStanger01]

My Mustang needs to get some work done and lucky me, I've come into a little bit of money. Thanks to my wife's car getting hit, haha. Anyways, Tie Rod ends, the place i went to said approx $400 to replace. Sounds steep to me, but I dont have tools to perform any jobs like this myself. Is that a bad price to pay? Also.. Im still kinda new to the mechanics of a car... if the tie rod ends are worn out..shouldnt i just replace the whole tie rod? Second Question.. Shocks/or struts.. whatever the difference is.. I would like to know ha. also.. the place I go said approx 480.00 to replace the shocks all around... is that a good deal? Any also.. im looking at some new tires for spring/summer.. any suggestions.. preferably under 150.00 each. thanks a lot guys

 

[RideThePONYgt]

Thats about the price I always hear. Its BS but thats what I hear. To bad you dont have the tools because its really not hard to do man My pops and I did mine in the back yard in no time.

 

[SilverStanger01]

yeah, im in the army and Im constantly moving; which meas no time to make firm relationships with people who know what they are doing haha

 

[BigTang]

that price should also include an alignment. there are 2 main parts to tie rods, the inner and the outter. The inner ties the rack & pinion to the outer tie rod. you can put the car in the air and force the wheel left and right and look for play at the rack to tell if the inner is bad, the outter usually goes bad when the boot seal gets torn and lets trash get in and the grease washes out. there are other reasons like a lowered car that makes it work at an angle it wasn't designed for, etc.

struts/shocks should also include an alignment so getting it all done at once isn't a bad idea. shocks take about 30 mins to install on the rear and the front takes a little longer. the upper strut bolt is a PITA if you don't have good tools.

Try to get moog parts for the tie rods and don't just let them buy the cheap monroe bottom of the barrel shocks/struts or they will need to be replaced again next year.
I suggest you get on a local forum and buddy up to so of the guys on there, if its like my local forum someone will do the work for pizza if you ask nicely.

 

[SilverStanger01]

Cleared a lot up..thanks a lot!

 

[MustangChris]

#1: you would be getting rapped if you paid that much for tie rod ends.
#2: replacing the tie rod consists of going into the steering rack, which doenst really wear out as badly. you will probably have to replace the seals before the rods.
#3: shocks = or rear wheels. struts = on front wheels. quad-shocks = on alxles tubes.
#4: sounds like a reasonable price for shocks/struts all around.
#5: ask your local tire shop. there are many many tires at that price range. i have yokohomo 520s that came in at ~$180.00, so far i give them a B+/A-

 

[Blk97GT]

Shocks and struts are easy and you can save alot of money, If you just need outer tie rods than you dont need the special tool for that. I would also check the ball joints while your in there. I got a quote from action gator tire for struts, outer tie rods, and alignment......$1060, needless to say I did it all my self.

 

[Hickrock1258]

As other's have said, shocks and struts aren't as hard as they may seem. Even for someone like me whos never done them before, with patience, they were a breeze to do.

 

[SilverStanger01]

I appreciate all the help guys

 

[Froush]

yeah bro, with the price they want for shocks and struts you can do a serious upgrade all on you own. It's only 2 bolt for each one and all you need are some jack stands and a jack. And seeing that you are in the army they should have an auto hobby shop on base that you wont even need your own tools. Just rent a lift and ask a buddy that knows about cars(im sure you have one in your division). I'd also ask the auto hobby shop if they do repairs. They will normally give you a pretty decent price and not rip you off all that much. But at the same time they are trying to make money too