I just noticed this weekend that I've got a shot outer tie rod and two torn steering rack boots, and need some help deciding how to proceed. It's an 03 LX with 280k miles on the original steering rack, but with new bushings.
Here are the options I'm considering:
1) Replace just the outer tie rods and steering boots with OEM, and perform front end alignment - $180
2) Replace both inner and outer tie rods and steering boots with OEM, and perform front end alignment - $250
3) Replace steering rack at local indy shop - $1,100
My hesitation is that the rack itself has 280k miles, but the truck actually handles really well so there's nothing prompting me to replace the rack at the moment. If I can replace both tie rods and extend the life of it a few more years, I'm fine going that route. But if I'll need a rack soon, I'll just replace the outer tie rods since new racks come with the inner tie rods already installed.
Thanks for hearing out my brain dump!
Here are the options I'm considering:
1) Replace just the outer tie rods and steering boots with OEM, and perform front end alignment - $180
2) Replace both inner and outer tie rods and steering boots with OEM, and perform front end alignment - $250
3) Replace steering rack at local indy shop - $1,100
My hesitation is that the rack itself has 280k miles, but the truck actually handles really well so there's nothing prompting me to replace the rack at the moment. If I can replace both tie rods and extend the life of it a few more years, I'm fine going that route. But if I'll need a rack soon, I'll just replace the outer tie rods since new racks come with the inner tie rods already installed.
Thanks for hearing out my brain dump!