Tie Rod End Sets: Cheap vs Expensive?! | IH8MUD.com Forum

08 Sep.,2025

 

Tie Rod End Sets: Cheap vs Expensive?! | IH8MUD.com Forum

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  • Aug 2,
  • #1
Fifty smackers for this set
OR
$171 smackers for this set!

I don't want to spend more than I need to but I definitely don't want to be doing this job again prematurely due to s***house quality tie rods!

Anyone had any experience with cheapo tie rods?

Cheers
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  • Aug 2,
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Buy the 555's from Kurt at Crusier Outfitter's and be done with it. Last edited: Aug 2,

3_puppies

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  • Aug 2,
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there are 2 items on any rig that you should never take the cheapest route.

steering and brakes.

just my opinion.
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This obviously doesn't go for all sellers of less expensive TREs... but I had purchased a 5 piece set from Amazon for around $70 and it turned out to have only 2 that were usable/correct - partially because I had saginaw, but also because I have a LHD vehicle and they sent a set for RHD, which put several of the pieces with the wrong threading. Even though it's a US truck, US seller, and claimed for LHD only....

I spent about $100 buying the pieces individually that I needed from Napa, and the quality was much better.

upperblack

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  • Aug 2,
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Then it's settled, I'll be going for the 555 Japan set. Someone on a Facebook group also recommended this set and suggested painting them if you want them to stay pretty (similar to discs). Looks like most the cheapos come from Taiwan by the way.
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Say, how often do you guys grease your ball joints?

upperblack

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ginmtb

'74 FJ40 - my first!
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  • Aug 2,
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I got the 555's from Curt and painted them. Installation was easy and have not thought twice about them.

That being said if you need the tie rods themselves you can apparently still order OEM and you end up with the tie rods and ends (I think I read you have one extra tie rod the way they sell them). More expensive option but if your rods are thrashed might be a good way to go.
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  • Aug 2,
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I got the 555's from Curt and painted them. Installation was easy and have not thought twice about them.

That being said if you need the tie rods themselves you can apparently still order OEM and you end up with the tie rods and ends (I think I read you have one extra tie rod the way they sell them). More expensive option but if your rods are thrashed might be a good way to go.
They do come that way--one rod with one end--you gotta buy two rods to get both ends--but they are OEM--you'll prob never need to replace them again
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  • Aug 5,
  • #11
This obviously doesn't go for all sellers of less expensive TREs... but I had purchased a 5 piece set from Amazon for around $70 and it turned out to have only 2 that were usable/correct - partially because I had saginaw, but also because I have a LHD vehicle and they sent a set for RHD, which put several of the pieces with the wrong threading. Even though it's a US truck, US seller, and claimed for LHD only....

I spent about $100 buying the pieces individually that I needed from Napa, and the quality was much better.

Same thing happened to me with cheap set from EBAY. Sent me RHD when the auction clearly stated LHD. Just an FYI. Rock Auto is selling a relay rod that comes with 2 555 TRE's installed. It is sold under the Elgin name and the part number is DS. The whole new relay rod with 555 TRE's was $44.84. The also have an AC Delco one for just slightly more.
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  • Aug 5,
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Same thing happened to me with cheap set from EBAY. Sent me RHD when the auction clearly stated LHD. Just an FYI. Rock Auto is selling a relay rod that comes with 2 555 TRE's installed. It is sold under the Elgin name and the part number is DS. The whole new relay rod with 555 TRE's was $44.84. The also have an AC Delco one for just slightly more.

Here's the link to the new relay rod. They are calling it a center link. They also have the individual TRE's in Moog, Beck/Arnley, and ACDelco ranging from $15-20 each. They just might be 555's in the package just like the relay rod I ordered. Either way, I would trust those American brands more than anything from Taiwan.
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 3.9L L6 Center Link | RockAuto
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Tigerstripe40

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  • Aug 5,
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Buy the 555's from Kurt at Crusier Outfitter's and be done with it.


Shipping to Australia, where the OP is located, might make that a rather expensive ordeal...
Get OEM, if available, high quality aftermarket if it is not.

Dynosoar

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  • Aug 5,
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Cheap you buy twice, expensive you buy once.

Just Sayin


Dyno

DSRTRDR

I can mangle anything ...
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  • Aug 5,
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Buy the 555's from Kurt at Crusier Outfitter's and be done with it.

/this\ X a gazillion

there should be a supplier of those somewhere in Australia
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  • Aug 5,
  • #17
Heck, might even be cheaper to order direct from Japan in your case.

-Geoff
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  • Aug 5,
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Doesn't Rock Auto ship internationally? I just bought the passenger tie rod end at Rock Auto from ACDelco for $19. It arrived in AC Delco box. Guess what was inside? That's right! Triple 5. If you buy all five TRE from Rock Auto in AC Delco, it will cost you about $84.00. That is the cheapest full set of 555's, I have found. Take a look at the pics.







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  • Aug 5,
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Doesn't Rock Auto ship internationally? I just bought the passenger tie rod end at Rock Auto from ACDelco for $19. It arrived in AC Delco box. Guess what was inside? That's right! Triple 5. If you buy all five TRE from Rock Auto in AC Delco, it will cost you about $84.00. That is the cheapest full set of 555's, I have found. Take a look at the pics.

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I guess they will sell out now. LOL!

How Much Does A Tie Rod Replacement Cost? – A Complete Guide

3 Other Parts Related To Tie Rod Replacement

Often, a tie rod can fail due to the malfunctioning of related components. Furthermore, driving long on bad tie rods can also damage the other components. In such a case, if the problem is not isolated to tie rods, you might have to carry out additional check-ups and repairs. Some parts that are related to tie rods and might need a replacement are as follows:

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit our website.

A. Steering Rack Assembly

The steering rack assembly or the rack and pinion gearbox converts the rotary motion from the steering wheel and turns it into a lateral motion. The steering rack is connected to the inner tie rod, which transfers this lateral motion to the outer tie rod to turn the wheels. A bad inner tie rod end can be a cause of a faulty steering rack and if the steering rack assembly is damaged, the cost of steering rack assembly can range from $100 to $.

B. Steering Knuckle

The outer tie rods are attached to the steering knuckle, which is the last part of the steering system of the vehicle. The steering knuckle and the tie rods can get damaged at the same time if you hit a large pothole. For a steering knuckle replacement, the cost can be $150 – $700, excluding labor.

C. End nuts

The tie rod end nuts connect the tie rods to the steering knuckle and are also known as castle nuts. These nuts can crack and break due to prolonged exposure to road elements and wear. The cost of replacing end nuts is very cheap and you get them for $5-$15. You might have to purchase end nuts separately because not all tie rod kits come with these nuts. Always check the list of parts included before ordering replacement tie rods.

Apart from the cost of tie rod end replacement, you might also have to pay for wheel alignment. It has to be done every time you replace your tie rods and the cost of wheel alignment can vary between $100 to $150, depending on the vehicle and workshop.

8 FAQs

How Long Do Tie Rods Last?

Tie rods are an important component of a vehicle’s steering system. They are attached on both ends of the steering rack and help move the wheels. Tie rods can last for years and years and some car owners may never have to replace them at all, but their longevity can be affected by certain driving conditions. Driving obstacles like potholes, poor road conditions or even minor accidents can cause tie rods to work incorrectly.

The lifespan of tie rods can vary depending on driving conditions and vehicle maintenance. Typically, tie rods last between 70,000 to 100,000 miles. If you suspect your tie rods might be bad, there are a few simple checks that mechanics can make to see if there’s any excess movement in the tie rods where there shouldn’t be.

It’s recommended that both right and left sets of tie rods be replaced at the same time, and that a full four-wheel vehicle alignment be done once they’ve been changed.

What Happens When a Tie Rod Breaks?

When a tie rod breaks, it can cause the front wheels of your vehicle to become unstable and difficult to control. This can be especially dangerous if you’re driving at high speeds or on a busy road. According to Your Motor Fix, a broken tie rod can cause your tire to flop to one side, making it impossible to steer your car.

If you suspect that your tie rod has broken, it’s important to get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. A mechanic can perform a few simple checks to see if there’s any excess movement in the tie rods where there shouldn’t be.

How Long Can You Drive on a Bad Tie Rod?

If you suspect that your tie rod is bad, it’s important to get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. You should not drive your car with a bad tie rod for more than 10 to 20 miles before repair. Severely worn tie rods risk complete failure of the tie rod joint while driving, causing loss of steering control. Even slightly bent tie rods will worsen over time, rapidly wearing tires and damaging steering.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Steering Rack?

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The cost of replacing a steering rack can vary depending on the type of vehicle, the parts’ scarcity, and the quality. The average cost of replacing a steering rack on a mainstream vehicle is between $400 and $750, including an alignment. The bulk of this cost is attributed to labor, which typically tallies up to a total of 2-3 hours, with another hour of labor billed for subsequent alignment.

How Long Does it Take to Fix a Tie Rod?

The time it takes to fix a tie rod can vary depending on the vehicle and the mechanic. Experienced professionals only take an hour to change a tie rod, but this doesn’t include performing vehicle alignment. That’s why it will take at least three to four hours overall. If you’re replacing your tie rods yourself without alignment included, you’ll need 2 to 12 hours, depending on your level of expertise.

How Does a Tie Rod Break?

Tie rods are an important component of a vehicle’s steering system. They are attached on both ends of the steering rack and help move the wheels. Tie rods can break due to normal wear and tear, driving hazards such as potholes, rough road conditions, or even minor accidents.

According to Motor Verso, tie rods can fail due to insufficient lubrication, which can cause the tie rod end to wear out faster. When a tie rod is damaged and fails, the effects can range from mild (early tire wear) to extreme (loss of vehicle control).

How Much Does it Cost to Replace Tie Rod Ends?

The cost of replacing a tie rod end can vary depending on the vehicle, the quality of the parts that are utilized, and how difficult it is to get to the tie rod end. It can cost anywhere from $100 to $400 to replace a tie rod end.

How Many Tie Rods on a Car?

The number of tie rods on a car can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle. According to Rx Mechanic, most vehicles have four tie rods. Two tie rods are located on each front wheel, with each wheel having an inner and outer tie rod.

How Much Does a Front-End Replacement Cost?

The cost of replacing the front end of a vehicle can vary depending on the extent of the damage, the type of vehicle, and the quality of parts used. According to Phil Long Collision Center, the average cost of repairing front-end damage on a vehicle ranges from $200 to $2,000. The cost of repairing a dented bumper can range from $400 to $1,500.

What Happens When Your Tie Rods are Bad?

When tie rods are bad, they can cause a variety of issues with your vehicle’s steering and handling. According to Mechanic Base, here are some symptoms of a bad tie rod:

  1. Uneven tire wear
  2. Lack of steering responsiveness
  3. Bad wheel alignment
  4. Car pulls to one side
  5. Vibration
  6. Strange noises, especially while steering

If you suspect that your tie rods are bad, it’s important to get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible

How often to Replace Tie Rods?

The frequency of replacing tie rods can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle, driving conditions, and maintenance. According to Jerry, most vehicle manufacturers recommend having your tie rods checked every 15,000 miles to ensure they’re in good working condition. However, if you drive your vehicle on rough roads frequently or in harsh weather a lot, chances are your tie rods will degrade faster than if you did a lot of smooth driving.

Want more information on tie rack end? Feel free to contact us.