I just replaced all my tires. I went to get an alignment done. The technician told me that I should look at my outer tie rods because the rubber bushings are torn.

I know outer tie rods are easy to replace. I have done that a few years ago.

Question - if I install new tie rods but keep the number of turns the same as when I remove the old tie rods, do I need to have an alignment done again?

I am getting conflicting messages - some say yes. Some say no. I thought if I keep the number of turns the same, the alignment should not change. What am I missing?

I just paid to have an alignment done, I would hate to do that again so soon especially if it is not necessary.

 

Yes, it's still considered best practice to get a basic toe alignment check after replacing outer tie rods. But myself i've counted turns/measured many times and just rolled with it without issues. If you don't want to get an alignment again, make sure the wheels are dead straight and measure from a point like the end of inner tie rod to the threads of the outer as well as count the threads while removing the old one and installing the new one. If both the turn counts and the measurements line up you should be fine

 

“measure from a point like the end of inner tie rod to the threads of the outer as well as count the threads” That is very smart. Thanks.

Has anyone done their own alignment? Just wondering if DYI is possible or should that be left to the pros.

 

I did alignments for years when I was a mechanic and have attempted myself at home, it's best to just get it done with an alignment machine lol but vehicles that have no rear adjustments I usually just did front 2 wheel alignment for camber/caster/toe

 

if you change the tie rods definitely get an alignment. i would even do both sides and find aftermarket ones with grease fittings.

 

Update: I went ahead and checked my outer rods to see if the rubber bushings are torn. But I cannot tell. I even tried to regrease them to see if I can detect leakage but I still cannot tell 100% that they are torn. There may be a torn in the driver's side - see arrow. What are your thoughts?

If the boots are torn, can I just reboot them? These are Moog outer tie rods that I installed from 2017. I am trying to avoid having another $100 alignment done. I am thinking that if I can just replace the boots,, I can avoid that. What do you think?

 

I think you can technically reboot them but unless you catch it early, if grit and sand got in there already re-booting isn't the best and its better to replace. Same as CV axles, unless you catch it early before debris gets in there you have to replace or rebuild and can't just reboot

It's hard to tell if it's torn or not in that picture, but my own vehicles if I have a balljoint or tierod boot that looks like that I check it again in 1-2 oil changes to see how it is and if it's gotten worse. If there's play i'll change it of course but if theres no play and it just looks a bit gross I usually leave it because I know what to look for if/when it gets worse and unsafe

 

they are definitely torn. you can try cleaning them, greasing them and putting polyurethane boots on them...

 

Thanks for the tip. I am going to try Energy polyurethane boots. I just need to figure out the size that I need.

 

If you get a grease gun you can try adding grease through the zerk fitting and see if it bulges (no tear) or if it leaks out of a tear.

 

Very smart idea. I have tried to grease them again. The bushings no longer bulge like they use to. Grease just ooze out of them. So they are definitely torn. I will try replacing the bushings. They are cheap - so worth a try.

 

I went ahead and replaced the boots with Energy Suspension Dust Boots as seen here. The driver side boot was definitely torn but the passenger seems to be OK. I regreased them.

How do I know if the tie rods are OK? I did the shake the wheel test. There is a bit of give but I think this may be normal.

 

tie rods are suppose to be solid.

to test the tie rod put your hands on the wheel at 3 and 9 and gently pull back and forth so you don't move the steering but can feel or see tie rod play.

 

sounds logical. Move the wheel just hard enough to test the tie rods but not hard enough to move the steering components. Thanks.