"thebigbossyboss" (thebigbossyboss)
07/17/2015 at 09:15 • Filed to: None
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"thebigbossyboss" (thebigbossyboss)
07/17/2015 at 09:15 • Filed to: None | 1
| 26 |
So. The Cavalier should be going in to have it’s outer tie rod end on the left hand side changed. Both me, and two mechanics agree this is the problem in the steering. So that’s not really the issue. In case you don’t know me, I drive a 2003 Cavalier somewhere north of 115,000 miles.
My questions are the following: If I am throwing out my tires at the end of the summer (just the fronts they are near death) should I just wait to align it at the end of the summer when I put my winters on? Or would that matter. An alignment should hold up through a wheel swap right?
Second question:
My mechanic is trying to upsell me to a “more beefy” outer tie rod end. The lowest one comes in at about $40, and the better one is something around $125.60 for the parts.
I am just wondering if it’s worth it going with the better part. I should add: I trust these mechanics, occassionally I will bring my car in and say something like “some type of brake problem” or something, and rather than replace ALL the brakes and charge me $600+ they just go “oh seized rotor” and charge whatever it is. (I forget what but it wasn’t much).
These are good guys and usually never try to upsell so I am wondering if it’s legitmately worth it to spring. They asked how long I intend on keeping the car. I need probably another two to three years in it.
Edit here are the parts: Expensive:
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Cheap:
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Catalo…
Also Stereotypes are Hilarious: On wednesday I brought the car down, but they couldn’t get to it, because they couldn’t move an AWD Jaguar off of their alignment machine, because they needed some part and it won’t move under it’s own power anymore.
#justjagthings.
Looked like a 4wd X type. Oh jaguar.
{UPDATE:
I am back, now with a car that is actually grounded to the ground instead of all wobbly.
My bill was as such (keep in mind this is canada so things cost more!)
Check Noise, and replace front left tie rod end. 0.5 hrs at 49.95
Alignment: 69.95
Left outer tie rod end: 58.78
Total: 177.73
Tax: 23.10
Total $200.83
I am happy. My garage always does so good for me. I am leaving on a 400 mile trip tomorrow so I didn’t have time to go through rock auto etc.}
I ended up going with a Delco part.
Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:16 |
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I don’t know from a technical angle, but if they don’t usually try to upsell, my bet is it’s a good idea.
GUYMANDUDE
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:17 |
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The OEM tie rod should hold up for another 2-3 years. Get an alignment immediately. It is a must after a tierod replacement. The alignment should be fine if you are just changing to winters of the same size.
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:19 |
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You’ll need an alignment after the tie rods. Changing the tires won’t change the alignment. As far as upgrading, it really depends. The beefier one might last longer or improve your steering a bit, but it’s probably not worth it unless you plan on holding onto the car for a long time.
CalzoneGolem
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:19 |
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Depends on what your end game is with your car. Gonna keep it forever? Upgrade and replace.
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thebigbossyboss
> GUYMANDUDE
07/16/2015 at 09:20 |
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I go from 17’s to 15’s in the winter but I think the overall diameter of the wheel and tire combo is close.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:20 |
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The alignment should hold up for toe-in, and for caster and camber in general, but sometimes a bigger or smaller tire will settle a little differently on its contact patch or just drive differently, so there can be differences of driving quality loosely related to alignment that change between two sets. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, though.
I would think a $40 tie rod end would be fine, personally. Particularly if you don’t have to have it last another ten years. Shitty steering components do sometimes wear out faster or suffer failure, but I don’t think an extra $100 margin is really called for. Is the replacement part a Moog or equivalent? If so, you should be perfectly fine.
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thebigbossyboss
> CalzoneGolem
07/16/2015 at 09:21 |
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This car is in the last 5 years of it’s expect life.
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thebigbossyboss
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
07/16/2015 at 09:22 |
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Given I am a little short on the cash (damn you long distance relationship) I am leaning this way. This car is in the last 5 years of it’s life.
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thebigbossyboss
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/16/2015 at 09:24 |
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Less than 5 years to go for this thing. I hope.
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GUYMANDUDE
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:24 |
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I would get the alignment now. And not worry about it later. The change in overall diameter probably won’t be enough to sent it outside of the tolerances. Eyeballing a tierod to size will guarantee it is off. There is too much summer left to drive it like that.
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SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:25 |
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The OEMs lasted twelve and the cheapest ones they have are probably inferior to OEM, so it’s kind of a toss-up. Might be worth upgrading for the peace of mind, but I wouldn’t do it. I’d just sell it the next time they start to rust even if it’s a year or so earlier than you were planning.
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thebigbossyboss
> GUYMANDUDE
07/16/2015 at 09:25 |
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Yes. Especially because we are blessed enough here in these southern latitudes that September and most of october are “summer” for tires purposes.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:27 |
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There’s a whole heirarchy of replacements for most cars, all the way from cheap Chinese brand-obscured crappy stuff all the way up to factory replacement, etc. Moog parts are a good middle of the road, and often better than stock (they are on a Panther). As an example of the Chinese stuff, there’s a cheap line at O’Reilly that we’ve had pretty poor luck with for ball joints - questionable diameter QC, no retaining circlip like the OEM, and not necessarily as robust. Tie rod ends are harder to get wrong, though.
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thebigbossyboss
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
07/16/2015 at 09:29 |
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Ok, I am going to talk to the guy this afternoon. If the $40 is OEM or Moog I’ll go for it. If it sounds like really sketchy chinese parts I’ll pass.
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thebigbossyboss
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
07/16/2015 at 09:37 |
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Both from Napa. Online shopping time. lol.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:39 |
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Rockauto time. They should have most of the price range represented.
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thebigbossyboss
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
07/16/2015 at 09:40 |
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Here we go. This one: (expensive)
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Catalo…
Vs this one (cheap)
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Catalo…
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:44 |
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I’ve not always had the best luck with the NAPA MasterRide. Here’s Moog at Rockauto, $31.79:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/morein…
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CalzoneGolem
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 09:45 |
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You’ll probably be fine with OEM then.
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thebigbossyboss
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
07/16/2015 at 09:48 |
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Nice. Sadly I am driving to brantford tomorrow (400 miles) so I cannot wait.
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SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> thebigbossyboss
07/16/2015 at 10:00 |
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You can get good Moog ones on rockauto for half the price of the shitty NAPA expensive one.
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/morein…
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thebigbossyboss
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/16/2015 at 17:34 |
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I am back, now with a car that is actually grounded to the ground instead of all wobbly.
My bill was as such (keep in mind this is canada so things cost more!)
Labour:
Check Noise, and replace front left tie rod end. 0.5 hrs at 49.95
Alignment: 69.95
Left outer tie rod end: 58.78
Total: 177.73
Tax: 23.10
Total $220.83
I am happy. My garage always does so good for me. I am leaving on a 400 mile trip tomorrow so I didn’t have time to go through rock auto etc.
Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
> thebigbossyboss
07/17/2015 at 09:49 |
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Really can't complain with that bill, especially if it's work that you're not capable of doing yourself.
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thebigbossyboss
> Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
07/17/2015 at 10:05 |
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I am currently busy repainting the rocker panels of said car. Only one automotive project at a time damn it.
Cé hé sin
> thebigbossyboss
07/17/2015 at 10:14 |
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“On wednesday I brought the car down, but they couldn’t get to it, because they couldn’t move an AWD Jaguar off of their alignment machine, because they needed some part and it won’t move under it’s own power anymore.”
Well, if you will try to make a Jag out of a Ford...
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thebigbossyboss
> Cé hé sin
07/17/2015 at 10:51 |
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Well Jaguars are known for their...uh....problems. Even before Ford. hahaha.