Which tie rods can I use house brand to replace

[AnarchyX]

So I went to get an alignment after replacing lower ball joints and control arms and they were only ablt to align it so much. The guys at Firestone showed me that both inner tie rods were unable to be adjusted further without the fear of damaging it.

So he said before he could complete the alignment I would need to replace the inner tie rods.

Now I recall reading somewhere that the outer tie rod ends are the ones that take the most punishment when going over bumpy roads, pot holes, etc.

So I figure I'll replace them since the mechanic will have to get through them to change the inner ones, and for those I will use Moogs, but I was wondering if I could use the cheapy house brand from Advance Auto since it's what I need to get the vehicle aligned. Will those inner tie rods last a couple of years in mostly highway driving and maybe a couple of miles a day in bumpy city driving?

So basically, will Moog outer tie rods ends and house brand inner ends give me good performance, or do I need Moogs for inner as well?

 

[Jimmy9190]

What year, make and model vehicle is it? How many miles on it? 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive? Do you do any towing or go off-road? These things all play into buying suspension parts.

If you are talking about the Driveworks, OEM Brand or other cheap brand of parts they sell at AAP and on ebay, my own opinion on it is absolutely, do not, under any circumstance use those el cheapo Chinese suspension parts. They are junk and you are taking your life in your own hands, and other people's lives too by putting cheap steering and suspension parts on any vehicle. It is much better to use a good name brand, especially on a safety-related part like the steering.

I have Moog outer tie rods on my truck. I put a set of Autozone Duralast inner tie rods on about 2 years ago. From what I have read online TRW makes the Duralast parts for AZ anyway. I also have TRW branded lower ball joints and Duralast upper ball joints on my truck. I have not had a lick of trouble from any of them. I can't remember for sure but I think the inner and outer tie rods and upper and lower ball joints were all made in the USA. I may be wrong on that but they have all been very good parts so far.

Stay far away from the cheap Chinese junk. Those parts are not fit even for a car that is headed for the auction. Moog, TRW, Napa Chassis, there are a number of good parts suppliers to pick from. You can use an AAP online purchase discount code to save money on the new parts too.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Near as I can tell, CarQuest's house brand front end parts ARE Moog.

 

[JHZR2]

Well said, Jimmy.

I'd generally go OE or moog. There are a few other brands that are ok depending upon coo.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: AnarchyX

So he said before he could complete the alignment I would need to replace the inner tie rods.


Did he say WHY the inner tie rods need replacing?

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: AnarchyX

So he said before he could complete the alignment I would need to replace the inner tie rods.


Did he say WHY the inner tie rods need replacing?


This is a mystery to me too. If they're running out of thread, the new ones will also be in the same predicament. And you have to have a bent frame or control arm to need that much adjustment... and a new inner TRE won't help.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

I used an inexpensive greaseable lower ball joint from Advance Auto a few years back, can't remember the brand right now, it looked decent enough but wore out quickly.

I replaced it with an OEM type sealed ball joint, so far so good.

 

[artificialist]

Buying cheap suspension parts from Advance means you will be doing the job again 6 months to 1 year later.

There is also another good replacement brand: Raybestos Professional Grade.

As far as inner or outer ones wearing out first, it depends on the car. Often what I find is that on Toyota and Honda cars and trucks the inners wear out first, but on GM, Nissan, and Ford the outers usually wear out first.

 

[ComfyShorts]

Lol please...replacing inner tie rod because running out of thread? You have a bigger issue at hand if that's the case. I'm pretty sure he wants to get inner tie rods replaced for excessive movement.

 

[edwardh1]

firestone may like to sell stuff

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: edwardh1
firestone may like to sell stuff


Exactly. I'd never have my car aligned at a tire shop.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Buying cheap suspension parts from Advance means you will be doing the job again 6 months to 1 year later.

There is also another good replacement brand: Raybestos Professional Grade.

As far as inner or outer ones wearing out first, it depends on the car. Often what I find is that on Toyota and Honda cars and trucks the inners wear out first, but on GM, Nissan, and Ford the outers usually wear out first.


Inners wore out first on my old Escort...two sets for every set of outers. Went about 30 and 60K, respectively. Didn't notice much difference between the expensive Moog and the cheap Duralast or NAPA parts.

 

[buickman50401]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Buying cheap suspension parts from Advance means you will be doing the job again 6 months to 1 year later.

That's what my mechanic buddy has always said.

We're doing the inner and outer tie rod ends plus the anti-sway/stabilizer bar (broke at both ends) on my Buick next week. Ordered the parts from Rockauto. $212 with shipping for 4 Moog tie rod ends and the Doorman (only one I could find) bar.

 

[Zako2]

Quote:
Buying cheap suspension parts from Advance means you will be doing the job again 6 months to 1 year later.


He was probably right. However, note that not all parts sold there are junk. I have heard that Moog suspension parts are of decent quality.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Zako2
Quote:
Buying cheap suspension parts from Advance means you will be doing the job again 6 months to 1 year later.


He was probably right. However, note that not all parts sold there are junk. I have heard that Moog suspension parts are of decent quality.

That is why I said "Cheap parts"

Advance sells costlier parts that do last, such as the Moog brand.

They have cheap parts such as "Tred Saver" "DriveWorks" and "OEBrand" which are junk. Other times there is a mysterious part in a white box that is usually junk.

And Advance isn't the only place where you can get extremely cheap junk.

Autozone also has mystery parts in a white box that are usually junk. Other times the part is marked "Duralast" but it is also a mystery part that is usually junk. However, you can buy Moog parts at Autozone.

Napa Premium Chassis is usually re-branded Raybestos which is good, however, there is "Master Ride Chassis" Which is almost always from Taiwan, and for Japanese cars, they sell "Ultra-8" brand which is the most pathetic looking Chinese junk you will ever see.

Doorman is sold by many stores. They make entire control arms in China, rather than just bushings or ball joints. I would stay away.

I don't often end up with stuff from CarQuest, so I don't know how good it is.