Worn tie rod and both upper and lower joints are shot!

[97GoldXLT]

Well, I went to get an alignment today and the garage said that they couldn't do it because my drivers side tie rod is shot and all of my ball joints are blown... They said that they could completely fix everything for around $1,100

I'm just wondering, can I replace my existing crappy ball joints/ tie rod with used but in decent condition ones? With these parts messed up, should I worry that the truck will lose control or break down?

Can anyone suggest a place where I can go (online) to buy these replacement parts?

any suggestions help, thanks!

 

[IZwack]

You can buy those parts locally at most parts store.

Or you can browse PartsAmerica.com (http://www.partsamerica.com) to check the parts, price them out, and so on.. and then buy them locally at your local Advance Auto Parts. I see there's an Advanced Auto Parts in Ogdensburg but thats pretty far from you.

I do see a few other local parts store near you. There's a "Gouverneur Auto Parts & Supply" on 18th Park Street, and "G & R Auto Parts" on 250 East Main Street.

I also see a Napa on 203 West Main Street. The good thing about Napa is that they are a chain of local stores with a centralized website. Here is Napa's section on suspension and steering: http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=400&CatId=7

You can replace just about everything in the front suspension yourself with a basic tool box. The only specialized tool you'll need is probably a ball joint press: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38335. You will also need a few large sockets -- up to about 1" and then a really large one for the center nut on each wheel bearing assembly.

The upper ball joint is unfortunately a one piece design with the upper A-arm so that needs to be replaced as a whole. I see this item priced at around $90 at PartsAmerica:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=TRW&MfrPartNumber=10720&PartType=2070&PTSet=A

The lower ball joint is replaced with that ball joint press I linked to and PartsAmerica lists a lower ball joint for around $32: http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=TRW&MfrPartNumber=104222&PartType=66&PTSet=A

The outer tie rods are typically around $30.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=TRW&MfrPartNumber=ES3302&PartType=80&PTSet=A

If you need to replace the inner tie rod, I would take in to a shop but if you want to do it yourself, search the forum. I've never done it myself so I can't say much about the process other than it looked difficult!

Of course whenever you change one of these suspension or steering parts, you'll need an alignment afterwards.

 

[97GoldXLT]

You can buy those parts locally at most parts store.

Or you can browse PartsAmerica.com (http://www.partsamerica.com) to check the parts, price them out, and so on.. and then buy them locally at your local Advance Auto Parts. I see there's an Advanced Auto Parts in Ogdensburg but thats pretty far from you.

I do see a few other local parts store near you. There's a "Gouverneur Auto Parts & Supply" on 18th Park Street, and "G & R Auto Parts" on 250 East Main Street.

I also see a Napa on 203 West Main Street. The good thing about Napa is that they are a chain of local stores with a centralized website. Here is Napa's section on suspension and steering: http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=400&CatId=7

You can replace just about everything in the front suspension yourself with a basic tool box. The only specialized tool you'll need is probably a ball joint press: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38335. You will also need a few large sockets -- up to about 1" and then a really large one for the center nut on each wheel bearing assembly.

The upper ball joint is unfortunately a one piece design with the upper A-arm so that needs to be replaced as a whole. I see this item priced at around $90 at PartsAmerica:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=TRW&MfrPartNumber=10720&PartType=2070&PTSet=A

The lower ball joint is replaced with that ball joint press I linked to and PartsAmerica lists a lower ball joint for around $32: http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=TRW&MfrPartNumber=104222&PartType=66&PTSet=A

The outer tie rods are typically around $30.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=TRW&MfrPartNumber=ES3302&PartType=80&PTSet=A

If you need to replace the inner tie rod, I would take in to a shop but if you want to do it yourself, search the forum. I've never done it myself so I can't say much about the process other than it looked difficult!

Of course whenever you change one of these suspension or steering parts, you'll need an alignment afterwards.

Oh wow, thanks, that was more then helpful!

Also, I had my truck lifted a couple inches and I'm running on 33 inch tires, should I buy a certain type of tie rod or ball joints to make sure they wont wear out fast? thanks!

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I prefer Moog parts myself, but the NAPA "gold" line is good stuff too.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Uppers how to:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194453

Lowers how to:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188225

Inner tie rod how to:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187888

 

[IZwack]

Ah well there you go! MountaineerGreen -- saves the day

 

[97GoldXLT]

Awesome! thanks guys!

 

[DeRocha]

I would only put in used Ball-joints or tie rods as a very last resort trail repair. These parts are vital to the overall safety and operation of your vehicle and as MountaineerGreen & IZwack indicated new parts can be found relatively inexpensively at many autoparts stores.

BTW your signature indicates you will be getting a lift and 33's. Since you indicate you already have a lift and 33s you should update it to so its less confusing.

 

[97GoldXLT]

so.... this might sound stupid... but if I was planning on replacing ALL of the ball joints in my front suspension, will I need 2 uppers and 2 lowers?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Yes, two lowers, one LH upper, one RH upper.