I'm fairly sure that I need to replace my tie rod ends on my 2003 TB EXT. Do I need to stick with the OEM parts, or can I go to NAPA/O'Reilly/AutoZone?
(I hate buying parts. NAPA lists outer tie rod ends anywhere from $40 to $200, and I have no basis to choose between them.)
I also got moog for all my suspension. But a big tip I'll give you, USE THREAD LOCKER!!! Mine kept coming loose, even after tightening the hell out of them and kept clicking. Once i used thread locker it solved the issue ?
Went to have my front end alignment checked and had 3 ball joints and one tie rod end bad. I replaced them myself. I set the toe-in and didn't check the caster or camber. That was probably 10,000 miles ago. Tires show no wear and it drives straight. I guess I was probably lucky. I saved several hundred bucks.
The reason I had it checked was because a teenage girl ran me off in the ditch and kept going. My trusty dashcam got a picture of her and her license plate. I gave the video to the state police and her insurance company helped me pay for repairs. None of the repairs were due to the incident. They were just worn out. I laughed for a week. I'm still smiling while I write this!! I now have dashcams front and rear in all 3 vehicles.
My parts were not OEM and have not been a problem.
Had to replace ours (2004 TB), as well as ball joints - I think we ordered them from RockAuto - or maybe picked them up at a local Autozone - either way they definitely were NOT OEM. Haven't had any issues with them.
When mine went bad I bought Moog re-greaseable tie rod ends and Moog re-greaseable upper and lower ball joints. I used a propane torch to loosen the jam nut on the tie rods but I had to use an oxyacetylene torch to "warm" the lower control arm and use a "C" frame press to get the lower balljoint out. The uppers are a pinch bolt, if I remember right, yet they came out easy. I got all the parts from RockAuto because I like Moog stuff and the prices were the lowest.
I wish now that I would have looked at the lower control arm bushings because I think the front bushings are getting soft. They look like a bear to get those bushings plates out.
Good luck to you.
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