Okay, so this is my first post so bear with me. I recently got my winter studded tires put on and the place I went to gave me a report after and it said that my battery needed a recharge and that my LO tie rod needed to be replaced ASAP. So, alot of the places I went to quoted me $300-475 total, which isn't reasonable IMO. What makes it suspicious to me is that today I got my oil changed at a different place for $50.00 and they said my battery is working fine. I haven't noticed anything odd with my steering, and a few people told me there could be nothing wrong with the tie rod.

Anyone else have any experience replacing them if worse case scenario happens?

 

You should probably get a second opinion on the tie rod, in case the shop isn't being honest. Worst case scenario? Tie rod breaking at highway speed. I'd guess it would pull hard to the left. Very serious!

 

Definitely have another mechanic, someone who you trust hopefully, look over the front end. Don't mention anything about the tie rod though. And I'm not sure why the shop would mention recharging the battery, your truck should be doing that on its own. Have the battery checked at a local auto parts store (Advance Auto, Autozone, Pep Boys...), they will check it for free. If it is an old battery, like over 3 years, it might make sense to change it out to be safe regardless.

 

Out of curiosity, what is the name of the place you went to?

There's a Nationally Franchised place around here that is notorious for misleading their customers.

 

the tie rod is a safety issue check it. It will need an alignment afterwards so that may be part of the quote you were given.

 

Kal Tire

 

Went and got s second opinion from another mechanic. He lifted it and showed me how bad it was (clicking noise). Going to cost me $195.00 plus tax to get it fixed. Hope it'll last me until Thursday when I take it back to him.

 

My mother had a right tie rod snap on her at 55 mph. Pulled hard right, jumped a little embankment and landed in a field. No one hurt, but was a lot of damage to the car.

Be careful with it, if it gets any worse consider parking it.

 

Just to update you guys. I got it fixed yesterday, and only got charged $150.00 total (including a free wheel alignment). Shes running good now.