Tie Rods at 240K - Preventative Replacement or Let Sleeping Dogs Lie?

[Bluesky 07]

As the title asks, I'm wondering whether to replace my '07 SE's tie rods or go with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Logic tells me they will eventually wear out but I've also read the opinion that 4R tie rods last a very, very long time. I'm having no related issues btw.

I'm planning to keep this truck until it or I can't get out of the driveway anymore and I do my own work, so I don't mind the expense or effort to do it. Thoughts?

 

[rdruss]

As the title asks, I'm wondering whether to replace my '07 SE's tie rods or go with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Logic tells me they will eventually wear out but I've also read the opinion that 4R tie rods last a very, very long time. I'm having no related issues btw.

I'm planning to keep this truck until it or I can't get out of the driveway anymore and I do my own work, so I don't mind the expense or effort to do it. Thoughts?

Was wondering same thing but I'm 100K less than you. The drivers side outer boot at the knuckle looks "flat" like it has no lube in it, but the pass side is puffed up like it has lube. That's what got me to wondering, but like you, I have no symptoms, although I get a 'thump' or "knock" every once in a while when I turn left.

 

[MikeinNH67]

In my vehicles, I wouldn't touch them until it either fails state inspection or I find/hear a loose one. Then I'd probably replace them all with OEM. Aftermarket just don't seem to last. I usually notice tie rods failing before my inspection guy. Lower ball joints he usually notices first.

 

[HIMILESV8SPORT]

320,000 on original rack/tie rods....I'd wait if I was you.

 

[Zero0575]

I would leave them. If you do replace them, go with OEM. They're pricey, but I went aftermarket and they were shot after 5k miles. They had a lifetime warranty, but 3 times in a row, after 5k miles, they needed replaced. Recently bit the bullet and went back to OEM so I don't have to send in for warranty replacement and get an alignment every 5k miles.

 

[Rocko9999]

Don't fix things that are working.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Don't fix things that are working.

Not arguing your point b/c I agree in general. But I just rebuilt my starter, which was working fine, b/c it will eventually fail. My dilemma was whether the tie rods fell into that category or that of stuff like a hood latch that you typically leave alone until/unless it fails.

 

[Rocko9999]

Not arguing your point b/c I agree in general. But I just rebuilt my starter, which was working fine, b/c it will eventually fail. My dilemma was whether the tie rods fell into that category or that of stuff like a hood latch that you typically leave alone until/unless it fails.

That mentality will simply cost you money. If it was a GM, Ford and had a specific part that notoriously dies at XX amount of miles, and 80% of owners had it go out, maybe, possibly, but still, you could be the exception. Just doesn't make financial sense.

 

[Bluesky 07]

That mentality will simply cost you money. If it was a GM, Ford and had a specific part that notoriously dies at XX amount of miles, and 80% of owners had it go out, maybe, possibly, but still, you could be the exception. Just doesn't make financial sense.

To each their own. My starter cost me ~$15 for new contacts & a plunger and a few hours of my time. I’ll trade that investment for not hearing the dreaded click click away from home. I waited on my alternator and it performed flawlessly until the moment it didn’t and nearly left me stranded. My truck is at 240K and I will drive it indefinitely so that also influences my preventative maintenance choices.

Based on what I’ve read and my other research, I will leave them alone.

 

[xtremewlr]

Tie rods wear out. They are a suspension component that will affect alignments, specifically toe. Look at how you use the vehicle to justify whether it would make sense to replace them preventatively or not. It is a ball joint after all and WILL wear out. I would advise to replace them, especially if you notice any slight wandering on the highway that are corrected with small steering input adjustments. Not like they are super expensive but you should get an alignment after replacing htem.

 

[MikeinNH67]

To each their own. My starter cost me ~$15 for new contacts & a plunger and a few hours of my time. I’ll trade that investment for not hearing the dreaded click click away from home. I waited on my alternator and it performed flawlessly until the moment it didn’t and nearly left me stranded. My truck is at 240K and I will drive it indefinitely so that also influences my preventative maintenance choices.

Based on what I’ve read and my other research, I will leave them alone.

The starter makes sense as it will strand you. Tie rods get noisy long before they fail unless you hit something then all bets are off anyway. Your call of course but where's the end? Upper/lower ball joints? Steering rack? If you listen to your car then you'll know when it's time.

 

[montijo505]

Replaced the outers a while ago since I was doing a ton of work on the front end and they were loose. I'm at 182k and had never replaced the inners. My last set of tires got some pretty bad cupping and I noticed they always looked worse after being on the front rotation. I also had some pretty heavy vibrations that I blamed on the cupped tires.

Went in to replace the inters and I could hold the end that goes in the rack and swing the rest around like a helicopter rotor lol. Steering tightened up a lot and vibrations decreased significantly. Put new tires on and she's smooth as glass now. it was a wandering, shaking nightmare on the highway before.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Tie rods wear out. They are a suspension component that will affect alignments, specifically toe. Look at how you use the vehicle to justify whether it would make sense to replace them preventatively or not. It is a ball joint after all and WILL wear out. I would advise to replace them, especially if you notice any slight wandering on the highway that are corrected with small steering input adjustments. Not like they are super expensive but you should get an alignment after replacing htem.

This is the answer. I do have that very symptom. Thanks for the advice.