Amazon tie rod kit

[Cuco]

I ordered this tie kit off Amazon for $30 any comments ?

 

[Expl01]

Looks good & very complete with all parts needed. The usual questions/concerns about where was it made & what quality of materials. There is a concern with another type of car I have that the quality of "rubber" being used, like for the boots, does not last as long. Also a concern about the metal: could it be a porous casting or solid steel? Maybe no easy way to check, but may feel lighter than the original parts. Price seems good, let us know how it works!

 

[Cuco]

Looks good & very complete with all parts needed. The usual questions/concerns about where was it made & what quality of materials. There is a concern with another type of car I have that the quality of "rubber" being used, like for the boots, does not last as long. Also a concern about the metal: could it be a porous casting or solid steel? Maybe no easy way to check, but may feel lighter than the original parts. Price seems good, let us know how it works!

This guinea pig will keep you posted

 

[masospaghetti]

I've tried the low-cost suspension parts before and I would never recommend it to anyone. The metal was such poor quality that the threads stripped right off when trying to torque things down to spec.

I would not trust these parts with your life (and the life of others). Nothing good can come out of a tie rod separating on the highway.

 

[Cuco]

I've tried the low-cost suspension parts before and I would never recommend it to anyone. The metal was such poor quality that the threads stripped right off when trying to torque things down to spec.

I would not trust these parts with your life (and the life of others). Nothing good can come out of a tie rod separating on the highway.

 

[Cuco]

OK I’ll spend the $200 and get the Motorcraft tie rods , safety first. Which brand aftermarket do you recommend

 

[Cuco]

Just ordered it from rock auto

 

[fast_dave]

@Cuco

TIP: Get parts #'s from Rock Auto's excellent catalog; and bench shop their prices on Parts/Delivery/TAX against those offered on Amazon & Ebay

MOOG is the trusted leader in Steering & Suspension Components.

MOTORCRAFT is also excellent brand, but, many times you'll find you're paying 50% more - for the name only.

Rock Auto Discount:
5% Discount Code: 7218F8D293D908
Expires: October 23, 2019


Please enter this code in the ‘How Did You Hear about Us’ box to receive the discount. Please enter ONLY the discount code!

 

[masospaghetti]

I agree with fast_dave. Moog is generally my "go-to" good aftermarket brand. Beck/Arnley is also a good brand that I've used often (sometimes Beck/Arnley parts look suspiciously identical to OE parts - down to the non-Chinese country of origin).

 

[J_C]

I might get the Motorcraft inners since they come with a new boot, but not the outer tie rod ends, especially when the Motorcraft are sealed non-greaseable yet still cost significantly more than the others, and I'll have my grease gun out anyway to do my ball joints. I'd get ACDelco Pro or Moog outers.

Granted I have tons of potholes and washboard roads here which beat up tie rod ends and ball joints, so I'm willing to grease them and the ball joints rather than settle for the motorcraft design with a plastic bushing in it.

 

[Cuco]

I am stuck with the Amazon Tie rods kit. When I purchased it through Amazon it was sold from a third-party I have to pay return shipping +20% restocking fee , it will cost me approximately $20 or a little less for a $30 part

 

[masospaghetti]

Maybe you can use the bellows and keep the tie rod boots as spares.

If you get some good tie rod ends, If/when the boots fail, you can replace them without having to remove the tie rod end (and therefore prevent needing an alignment).

 

[J_C]

Or list the kit on ebay for $35 with free shipping to cut the loss in half. You'd think people wouldn't bite when they're $30 on Amazon, but sometimes people are too lazy to check, or they get in a bidding war, or may have some $10 off $30 promo going on ebay, and IIRC my Visa card has some promo for using paypal this upcoming quarter too.