How long would you say a car can safely drive that needs new tie rods & possible ball joints?

 

I wouldnt trust anything loose...even if just a little loose, its worn out and one good chuckhole might pull it out. if a tierod or balljoint ever pops at speed it would be a very bad day for the driver and anyone else on the road that might get in the way.

if a tire shop has told you that you need tie rods and balljoints, I would suggest getting another mechanic to look at it- there are some shops that will try to hose folks for big money at any opportunity.

Our local NTB stores are very good, here they will check alignments for free and tell you whats needed- usually pretty fair on pricingfor work needed.

I also know a few folks that got totally hosed by a local brand F (not ford) store, lady with a car that actually just needed struts was quoted at 3000+ in work needed, a elderly buddy got hit for 1700 for a brake job- on a impeccably maintained truck I know was fine, he just took it in to have it checked, told them to go ahead and fix any problems they might find- they replaced everything to do with the brakes... gotta be careful- but just in case, I wouldnt drive anything with loose steering parts anywhere fast or far.

 

How many miles on your car? I have almost 200K on the original parts. I do lube them every 25-30K though.

 

My ball joints went out at about 50k on my 07. While the car was in for an alignment the shop showed me the wiggling of the wheels back and forth while simultaneously going up and down indicating wobble. This wasn't normal so it proved to me the joints did need replacing and were perfect once installed and complete. Tie rods are still intact though. I have more and more suspension problem because of not lowering my car the right way so lesson learned the hard way on my end...

 

102k miles on the car. I'm 3rd owner & was quoted at 1100 for work it needed. They suggested, sway bar work, ball joints, & tie rods. Definitely am getting a second opinion. I ordered the parts online yesterday, found a shop with an honest hard working guy to help me put them on.

The tie rods aren't too worn, tire doesn't wobble much but I know they need replaced & occasionally I get the "pop" noise when turning the steering wheel, so I'm assuming ball joints need replaced.

Thanks for the info!

 

couple questions:
how do you grease them?(hypodermic needle thru the boot?)
what grease do you use? (factory I thought had a special silicone grease?)
how are your boots holding up?(mine were showing cracks at 2 yrs old, but havent started leaking-yet)

 

Any good auto parts store will sell the grease type hypodermic needle.

I use Castrol contractors grease, very heavy, dark gray color if that helps. But any high quality grease will be fine.

My boots seem fine, car is garaged & meticulously serviced.

 

thanks for the info- at 200k, its obviously worked for you! I was a little worried about poking holes in the boots and incompatible grease doing more harm than good, will be poking some holes in my boots real soon though for sure
thanks!