I took my 2000 Mercury Cougar to a local lube shop to get an oil change and basic tune-up done on it, and they called me while they were working on it to say that my outer tie rod ends and sway bar links were completely shot, and that if I didn't get them repaired, it could put my passengers and me at serious risk. He quoted me $567 for the parts and labor.
I know most suspension work can be done on your own if you have the time and tools to do it, so I said no, but now I notice that my car doesn't handle nearly as well as it used to. I'm beginning to get real worried to drive my car anymore. I have a friend who has a HUGE amount of tools left from his grandfather who used to be a mechanic. Is this something that I can do myself? I really don't wanna pay $567 for something that I can do myself, and get the parts on my own. Can I find out how to do this from a Chilton manual, or can someone show me a website with pictures or a video, if it can be done on my own?
Can I replace my own outer tie rods and sway bar link?
I can't link you to it anymore, but the autozone.com website has a repair guide for your car. It has all the info a Chilton's manual would have on these procedures.
Go there and register. Select your vehicle info for the profile. Click %26quot;repair info%26quot;, then %26quot;view repair guides%26quot;.
For the tie rods, go to %26quot;steering%26quot; then %26quot;steering linkage%26quot;. You can use a regular pickle fork (of the right size of course) for them instead of the puller they show, since you are replacing them.
For the stabilizer bar links, go to %26quot;suspension%26quot;, then %26quot;front suspension%26quot;, then %26quot;stabilizer bar (sway bar) %26amp; links%26quot;.
You will need to have your toe setting checked on an alignment rack, no matter how carefully you measure them going back on, but it will help to make the trip to the mechanic easier if you count the turns.
The parts from Autozone are $69, and alignment will run you $50 to $100, depending on labor rates and if you shop around. $22 and $24 for the tie rods respectively, and $11.50 each for the stabilizer links.
Can I replace my own outer tie rods and sway bar link?
get the chilton book/swaybar links are easy/the tierod ends have to be right and left and you have to count the turns when removing to get back to right toe settings/get sears to quote/see what they say/you dont need front end align with this but you do need wheel align-(toe-in toe-out)
yes you can replace them on your own but as you mentioned you need the right tools
if you decide to do the job ,just be sure you count the turns when removing the tie rods .down the road you'll need a front end alignment .
sure not real hard
type into search box
how to replace tie rods
how to replace tie rods video
how to replace sway bar links
how to replace sway bar links video
sure really easy a tip count the threads on old tie rod before removing or wrap tape or mark it so that when you go back in your close to way it was might cost you 200
outer tie rods you can change yourself but the inner ones takes a special tool to reach up in the rack and as for the sway bar links you can change them yourself too. on the tie rods all you do is loosen the jam nut, run it back up on the tie rod finger tight, separate the tie rod with a crows foot and turn the tie rod off and run the new 1 back on until you reach the jam nut. tighten the jam nut and install the tie rod on the steering knuckle. i changed a lot of them.
Visit this site for some basics on how this works:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-suspen鈥?/a>
Best wishes.
Of course you can do the work on your own if you have the proper tools and know-how. Your best bet is to have a friend help and then above all else my friend, work safely and remember to have an alignment done asap after the work is done to complete the job and to keep you, your family and friends safe. For more detail on just what to do, go to your local auto parts store and purchase a repair manual or go to the library and check out the manual you will need. Good luck and definitely get the work done yourself.
You should also get a second opinion to find out if they are actually worn out. Shops telling novice customers this story is unfortunatly very common because most folks aren't able to offer any retort. I would take it to another shop for another free quote first.
