Holy ****!

[Leuthesius]

I took my J to get new tires back in March. I moved the back ones to the front. They were in good shape, and I was figuring I could put off replacing those for 6000 miles. Wrong.

I took it in today to get new tires, as the inner parts of the tires had shredded down to metal. They put it up on the alignment rack, Toe was/IS out 6 degrees on both sides. (HOLY WTF)



The cause?

Both of my inner tie rods are BENT. And not just a little. They're bent about 15-20 degrees. How in god's name does that even happen? I would think that it would almost certainly have to be done on purpose somehow....

So anyways, a $240 visit for two tires and an alignment turned into a $630 trip. I opted not to. Girlfriend is out of town for two weeks, and I can drive her car for now.

Funny tho.Rockauto.com. Two new inner tie rods shipped for less than $45 shipped. Tooldiscounter.com. Inner Tie rod removal kit. Less than $50 shipped. OReilly's Auto parts for the ITie rods alone $100. Price for the shop to take care of it $330. $230 saved. Hurray. All I have to do is wait three days and get a little dirty.

AUGH! 12 degrees total toe out? No WONDER the damned things been vibrating like Mexican Jumping bean.

[Victor]

Kragen, Autozone, and I think Napa will loan you special tools to do a repair if you buy the parts from them. No need to buy your own.

[Leuthesius]

Why rent for $200 when I can buy for $50 shipped? I have my own lower ball joint kit now, too. Got it for $70. To buy one from Oreilly's (made in china, no less) it cost $150ish with the employee discount from when I worked there. The one I bought was $70, and made in the U S A