Hello Brickers,

Just a quick question. I know it depends on driving styles, wear and tear etc. but generally, how often should tie rods and ball joints be replaced?

I had my tie rods done in 2005 and ball joints in 2006. A mechanic suggested changing both ball joints because they were worn - driver side one was shot, so I did...Now he is recommending doing the tie rods before getting it aligned.

Make sense? or good sales pitch?

any thoughts?

g unit

My original tie rods and ball joints on my 1990 lasted 15 years and 280000 miles. Ball joints tend to fail after the rubber boot tears. I found out the last time I changed BJ's that using a socket and rachet on the strut anchor bolts can actually damage/tear the boot. MOOG came out with a ball joint for the 240 that uses grease fittings and a different boot design. I'm trying them out on one of my 240's.

There is no interval - except for routine inspections, say every other oil change, or once a year. At the time of inspection one checks the play, pinching a tie rod into it's socket, and levering a ball joint up and down. If no play, leave it alone.
I'd have the shop demonstrate the play they think demands replacement. It's a commonly oversold replacement - big talk about safety, women and children in the car, blah blah. Play determines the need. And as you've noted, there are too many variables that produce play to make predictions. Act on evidence.

I don't believe there is a direct answer for your question as there are so many variables. These include if they are OE, crap aftermarket, TRW decent aftermarket, how many times have they been under water, how many times has the car slammed the curb... on and on and on.

The answer is: "If there is slop in the joints, or there is a hint of odd tire wear on one front tire (good alignment), replace them."

For an extreme example, on a 65 TBird, the Chinese stamped sheet metal ball joints blew out after 1300 miles, the original parts group parts made it at least 30K miles and many have gone much further (car is currently on furlough due to gas prices).

jorrell

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92 245 313K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

To have them replaced before you have an alignment and they are already 6 years old? I would swap them out before paying for an alignment. But I would also look at the front struts, strut mounts, bushings, power steering rack for leaks, sway bar bushings, and inner tie rods before paying for a professional alignment ($80).

But if your pretty sure those other things are in decent shape and can wait a few more years then the minimum would be the out tie rods since they do have a lot to do with alignment and stress from steering. I'm border line at the moment with just replacing my outer tie rods before an alignment and waiting a few more years for struts or just going for a full frontal suspension/bushing replacement and know its good for the next 80,000-100,000 miles. ($600 in parts w/ alignment)