Front wheels wont computer align 100% Tie rod end outer. rack end needed -good price?

worded

Audi saloon 2002

Tie rod end outer. rack end.

Best to replace both Im told - so pair - supply and fit = 248

Is that a good price?

I dont have the diag report to hand but its a few % off.

Will know more later.

Tropheus

That's expensive. You can pick them up for around €60. Not an Audi part, but good quality none the less. Most independents would do that job in two hours max at €60 per hour.

Have a look here for the parts - www.eurocarparts.com

They're outer track rod ends BTW.

worded

ksimpson wrote: »

That's expensive. You can pick them up for around €60. Not an Audi part, but good quality none the less. Most independents would do that job in two hours max at €60 per hour.

Have a look here for the parts - www.eurocarparts.com

They're outer track rod ends BTW.

Would that be for a pair? Was told best to get them done in pairs.

Thanks for quick reply.

Tropheus

Yes, that would be for the pair. The advice to always replace them in pairs is correct.

mickdw

Is there play in the steering system or not? I dont like the sound of this - wont align 100%. Do you trust these guys?

It souns like something you would tell someone who knew nothing about cars

worded

mickdw wrote: »

Is there play in the steering system or not? I dont like the sound of this - wont align 100%. Do you trust these guys?

It souns like something you would tell someone who knew nothing about cars

It a tyre franchise place. They have a computerised alignment thing.

They have given me a computerised print out, so yes I think they are trust worthy.

-Corkie-

worded wrote: »

It a tyre franchise place. They have a computerised alignment thing.

They have given me a computerised print out, so yes I think they are trust worthy.

That would not mean everything. Did they quote you that price also.

EPM

Had one done last year. €90 at a main dealer all in. That excluded alignment afterwards. Was told that id be fine just doing the one. Wasnt comfortable with that but needed it done quick. NCT failure prompted it

worded

-Corkie- wrote: »

That would not mean everything. Did they quote you that price also.

Yes same place quoted me 250.
0 for the alignemnt till they get it 100% correct.
Tyres were reasonable.

Tropheus

Did they tell you what was out in the alignment? If it's camber, then it's unlikely to be the track rod end. That would point towards ball joints or bushings in the suspension arms.

Track rod end problems usually give left to right play if you grasp the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock when the whell is jacked up you should feel this.

Does the price of replacing the track rod ends include tracking afterwards as tracking will need to be checked.

mickdw

Audis of that age have a very strange front suspension and to be honest most garages have not a clue about alignment of these cars. Its fine if just a basic toe adjustment is being made but if any dismantling took place at any time, a 'raised toe' check will be needed as these cars have an additional adjustment point away from the trackrods. If this was not done after any dismantling, it can look like there is something bent etc in the front suspension and Ive seen this lead to much head scratching in a well known tyre outlet. They concluded that the chassis was twisted when it fact they didnt know what they were doing.
IN your case OP, if you have looseness there, fair enough but if not, get a dealer to sort it and specifically ask for the 'raised toe' to be checked. Im assuming A4 or A6.

worded

ksimpson wrote: »

Did they tell you what was out in the alignment? If it's camber, then it's unlikely to be the track rod end. That would point towards ball joints or bushings in the suspension arms.

Track rod end problems usually give left to right play if you grasp the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock when the whell is jacked up you should feel this.

Does the price of replacing the track rod ends include tracking afterwards as tracking will need to be checked.

"Did they tell you what was out in the alignment? If it's camber, then it's unlikely to be the track rod end. That would point towards ball joints or bushings in the suspension arms"

The fault is that the driver side wheel cant be aligned.

They mentioned that in the old days they used to be able to take a blow torch to a part, but they cant now as it contains rubber.

"Track rod end problems usually give left to right play if you grasp the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock when the whell is jacked up you should feel this"

When the front wheels are fully locked it never felt right, but I had this checked out before a few years back and a mechanic said its normal. the car is in an unnatural / strained position when on full lock.

Im not in a position to jack the wheels up.

So far Ive been charged 0 for Alignment / tracking.
The quote is for "outers and inners" on a business card - 250 euros.

The alignment/tracking fee will be + 60. I really dont think they are including it.

Tropheus

I would be inclined to get a second opinion. So there are four parts being replaced - inner track rods and outer track rods on both sides?

The inners don't go as often as the outers. I have 150k miles on an Audi Allroad and had the inners checked recently and they are tight as a drum. I had the outers done about 20k miles ago.

If you know a local independent mechanic, it would be no harm to get them to have a look and give you a price.

If the inners do need to be done, I can understand the labour change as they can be a bugger to get at.

worded

ksimpson wrote: »

I would be inclined to get a second opinion. So there are four parts being replaced - inner track rods and outer track rods on both sides?

The inners don't go as often as the outers. I have 150k miles on an Audi Allroad and had the inners checked recently and they are tight as a drum. I had the outers done about 20k miles ago.

If you know a local independent mechanic, it would be no harm to get them to have a look and give you a price.

If the inners do need to be done, I can understand the labour change as they can be a bugger to get at.

Second opinion - will do.