Trying to make a extra buck?

03Dmax90 · 08-12-2009, 09:10 AM

So i go to the local tire shop where i get most of my stuff from( tires, rims ect) to get my tie rod sleeves put on, the guy doin it comes back a few minutes later and says my inner tie rods are toast. I was like well you guys did an alignment 3 weeks ago and i havnt been anywhere but driving on the pavement, so he gets an estimate of parts with installation and its 384$ so i said just put the sleeves on cause i dont got that kinda money right now, so then he tells me he cant align it cause of the tie rods and that my tires are gonna be

ed and whatnot so i just leave and get home and look at my tie rods, i grab them and theres no play in either of them at all. So what you guys think? Are they toast or is the shop tryin to make some money off me?

**gr8shot** · 08-12-2009, 09:16 AM

Tough to say, but if they did an alignment 3 weeks ago, show them the reciept and ask how tie rods go from fine to shot in 3 weeks. And if he holds his ground, take your business elsewhere. It does sound like he's taking you for a ride, so I wouldn't stand for it.

Lots of shops will do free alignment checks. Maybe find one of those that does and see what they say.

It could also be the other way around, the tie rods could be shot, but they did an "alignment" before just to get the money out of you. And now that you really do need one, they're actually bad and they can't do it. So one way or another, something is not right. If they are shot, I'd ask for your money back from before. You won't get it, but if you throw a big enough stink they might cut you a deal on getting them replaced.

03Dmax90 · 08-12-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8shot

Tough to say, but if they did an alignment 3 weeks ago, show them the reciept and ask how tie rods go from fine to shot in 3 weeks. And if he holds his ground, take your business elsewhere. It does sound like he's taking you for a ride, so I wouldn't stand for it.

Lots of shops will do free alignment checks. Maybe find one of those that does and see what they say.

It could also be the other way around, the tie rods could be shot, but they did an "alignment" before just to get the money out of you. And now that you really do need one, they're actually bad and they can't do it. So one way or another, something is not right. If they are shot, I'd ask for your money back from before. You won't get it, but if you throw a big enough stink they might cut you a deal on getting them replaced.

Well thats the thing, 3 weeks ago i got the alignment they did it for free cause i just spent 3000$ at the shop 2 weeks before that. It got knocked out cause i tried a 4 wheel launch not realizing i needed sleeves and stuff. But other then that i havnt really gone anywhere that would wear them out, itdrove straight as an arrow to, now the steering wheel is a messed cause he couldnt do the alignment, so i might take my business else where and go to a different shop today and see what they tell me. IF they are wore out ill take my sleeves off and sell them to my buddy and order some HD tie rods or new stockers with the sleeves, what you think?

**gr8shot** · 08-12-2009, 09:32 AM

Well, you can't go wrong with the HD tie rods. You get new tie rods rather than using the possibly worn out stockers, as well as the strength of the stockers with sleeves (more strength actually).

If you're buddy will buy your sleeves, then I'd say upgrade to HD's!!

I can get em for ya if you go that route.

GrimReaper · 08-12-2009, 09:33 AM

Ive been doing alignments at a GM dealership for 5 years now. the only way i know to test tie rods (inner/outter) is with the vehicle in the air or on turn plates.

03Dmax90 · 08-12-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrimReaper

Ive been doing alignments at a GM dealership for 5 years now. the only way i know to test tie rods (inner/outter) is with the vehicle in the air or on turn plates.

Well i didnt have it in the air but i guess ill go talk to my friend, he works at a GM dealership as a diesel tech. I need to find a job to support all these repairs hah

03Dmax90 · 08-12-2009, 03:40 PM

So i just picked my truck up from another tire shop i took it to and they said the inner tie rods were perfectly fine, bastards were tryin to get more money from me but, they said the pitman and idler are starting to go so either way it was a bad news day hah. Then after i picked it up i tried a 4 wheel boosted launch since i got them sleeves on now and i was only on stage 1 on my dsp switch and it still goes crooked when i take off, im going to have to build not much boost at all when i race..till i get braces and a whole new front end it seems like

**Hondarider552** · 08-12-2009, 03:51 PM

you dont need an alignment if you do the sleeves correctly.

03Dmax90 · 08-12-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondarider552

you dont need an alignment if you do the sleeves correctly.

Well i could probably have done them but i dont got a shop or anything. Just easier to get them to do it.

Jhill · 08-12-2009, 07:36 PM

If another shop said they were fine, it sounds like that shop was trying to rip you off. I would go back in there and let a manager hear it.