eBay Parts Quality Advice

[ATPJOE]

I'm looking into buying new tie rod ends and I've priced them out on ebay at 60ish for the pair brand new but obviously quality is in question via ebay. Anybody buy suspension components on there before? I'm on my phone so this link might be messed up but here we go: http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=250985184801&index=0&nav=SEARCH&nid=42889720609

Autozone tie rod ends are 60 per. Also my inner tour rods are pretty rusty am I going to need to replace them too?

Thanks you guys

 

[hite337]

I would reccomend changing the inner and outer tie rod ends at the same time

Inner tie rod ends $28/pr http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Inner-Tie-Rod-End-Set-Lincoln-LS-1999-2000-01-02-/260657312842?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cb062f44a

outer tie rod ends $50/pr http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Outer-Tie-Rod-End-Set-Lincoln-LS-1999-2000-01-02-03-/260657306289?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cb062dab1&vxp=mtr

Oreilly Auto Parts has the outers for $20 ea ...Master Pro Chassis - Tie Rod End Part # ES800414 and Part # : ES800415

 

[ATPJOE]

Thanks for that oreillys link. I'd have to find one around here but I have seen them somewhere. How much harder is it to do the whole tie rod setup instead of just the ends? Would I even have to mess with screwing off the ends from the inners if I were to replace all of it? They're so rusty that I'm not looking forward to it.

 

[mcaccamise]

Tie rods

In my opinion i would change the complete right and left side then have the alignment done money well spent and less frustrating.

 

[marcredd]

I purchased my rear toe links from the eBay seller in question. Zero issues with the product so far.

 

[hite337]

If you do the tie rod ends measure the thread exposre and get the new ones as close to the old ones as possible and get to an alignment shop asap. If you do the whole setup then you will have to separate them to get the boot off. The boots are not cheap $90 iirc. They have a crimp ring on them that you have to cut off and you can use a standard worm gear hose clamp to reattach them.

 

[ATPJOE]

I think for now I'm going to do just the ends, and in the Summer do the whole setup if I need to. Assuming the ends come off the threads on the inners are pretty rusty but not nearly as bad as my rear axle threads haha. I just need it better than it is currently in terms of safety.

My problem by the way is this: clunking on every bump, and I can move the rod ends with my hands which seems really sktechy. I stopped driving it a couple weeks ago in fear of them breaking or something. It is not pulling to the right or anything, and there's no dead spots in the steering. Just the loud clunks.

So to confirm what I need for the outers... is it just the two Oreilly part numbers... do I need anything else with those? I have a few different size matco separators just not sure what else I might need. Read some threads but none were really step by steps.

 

[marcredd]

Clunking could be the sway bar links. Have they been looked at to verify condition as well?

 

[ATPJOE]

I had an inspection done and they didn't say anything about that but I just assumed the clunking was the bad tie rod ends. How do I check those out..visually and physically?

 

[hite337]

To test the tie rod ends you raise the car and grab the front wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock position and try to shake the wheel. If there is loose play then your rod ends are bad. If there isnt then your prob is most likely the stabilizer bar bushings and/ or stabilizer bar end links. Lots of threads here about the bushings. They are made by Energy Suspension

 

[ATPJOE]

Yep that was what it was... when I had it checked out it was up on a lift and they could wobble the front wheels pretty good. And the back wheel with the toasted bearing a little. I'm heading to O'reillys tomorrow to order the tie rod ends and will hopefully get it sorted Tuesday-Wednesday. All depends on how they come off I guess. Can't afford to drive anywhere anyways with gas at $4/gallon here. Good thing I have my Ruckus 100MPG ftw.