[bluewater328]

Ok, so car has gotten near 100k under its belt. Nothing seems wrong, but I've seen a few people have issues replacing the tie rods (rack side). Just wondering as a preventative maintenance thing, is it recommended to replace the boot and re-grease the ball joint (and then maybe just replace the knuckle-side of the tie rod)?

Just wondering if it's better to go with:

1) The ounce of prevention (or lube) route (if it's actually a thing) OR
2) Don't fix it if it ain't broken; replace all when it is (pay someone if you're scared) OR
3) Just replace the knuckle-side OR
4) You're overthinking it, just replace it all, silly -- it aint that bad.

For reference, I'm in Hawaii which is a no-salt region (no snow :P), but there is the salt mist (which eh, I'm not that close to shore usualy). Generally I don't see a ton of rust compared to "wintery" states.

Cost of the whole tie rods isn't my concern here. If someone tells me its no big deal and it'll 95% go well, I'll just go to the hobby shop and replace.

Any insight welcome.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

Ok, so car has gotten near 100k under its belt. Nothing seems wrong, but I've seen a few people have issues replacing the tie rods (rack side). Just wondering as a preventative maintenance thing, is it recommended to replace the boot and re-grease the ball joint (and then maybe just replace the knuckle-side of the tie rod)?

Just wondering if it's better to go with:

1) The ounce of prevention (or lube) route (if it's actually a thing) OR
2) Don't fix it if it ain't broken; replace all when it is (pay someone if you're scared) OR
3) Just replace the knuckle-side OR
4) You're overthinking it, just replace it all, silly -- it aint that bad.

For reference, I'm in Hawaii which is a no-salt region (no snow :P), but there is the salt mist (which eh, I'm not that close to shore usualy). Generally I don't see a ton of rust compared to "wintery" states.

Cost of the whole tie rods isn't my concern here. If someone tells me its no big deal and it'll 95% go well, I'll just go to the hobby shop and replace.

Any insight welcome.

I wouldn't replace them as general maintenance. If you are doing M3 control arms, that would be a good time to replace them. I'd replace the whole arm. Boots? I guess it depends on the condition of the boot to begin with.

You will absolutely need an alignment once you do this DIY

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I wouldn't replace them as general maintenance. If you are doing M3 control arms, that would be a good time to replace them. I'd replace the whole arm. Boots? I guess it depends on the condition of the boot to begin with.

You will absolutely need an alignment once you do this DIY

Thanks. So basically: don't sweat it till it's an actual problem I'm seeing.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

Thanks. So basically: don't sweat it till it's an actual problem I'm seeing.

Yep. Lemforder is the OEM provider. Meyle HD is a slight upgrade for this part