Alignment screwing?

**tmljeh19** · 07-29-2008 08:31 PM

I need my 96 quattro 2.8 aligned. When I took the car to a shop to align it I was quoted $1100 because I needed new tire rod ends and cv boots. Im wondering if that sounds right or if I am getting screwed? Also is it doable to buy used tire rod ends and cv boots instead of new ones to try to bring down the cost? I need the car to drive to my school everyday which is an hour away. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

**djwimbo** · 07-29-2008 08:37 PM

Those are items that you don't want to buy used.

It does seem a bit high, but how many CV Boots are you talking about?

**onemoremile** · 07-29-2008 08:39 PM

They better get you drunk before bending you over like that.

Although the inner tie rods can go bad the outers are much more likely to get creaky or clunky. They are under a hundred bucks for both sides and can be replaced in a couple hours, maybe 4 if you're completely new to working on your own car. Or you could order the parts from one of our advertisers and have an independent mechanic install them for much much less. An alignment should be about 120-180. For 200 it should be dead on your exact specifications and come with a free car wash.

CV boots are a messy job but still only an hour per side and a the parts are cheap.

**tmljeh19** · 07-29-2008 08:55 PM

i was planning on using a mechanic to do the work i would rather not do it myself since i have no idea what im doing. i was told that the 4 tire rod ends that need replacing are $200 a piece. can someone point me in the direction of where i can get them cheaper?

**onemoremile** · 07-29-2008 09:19 PM

Wow.

There are two tie rod assemblies up front, one on each side. The steering rack is between them. Each tie rod assembly is made up of an inner and outer tie rod end. The inner screws into the steering rack and has a flexible joint. The outer screws into that and connects to the hub/upright. An assembly is about 100 so both full assemblies is about 200 and does the whole front end. Outers alone are about half that price, usually lower.

**onemoremile** · 07-29-2008 09:22 PM

http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/...productID=2815

http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/...ory=Drivetrain
Scroll down for the front outer cv kit ES#1950 for 17.95 each.

**djwimbo** · 07-29-2008 09:32 PM

The inner CV boots aren't a real common failure point, unless they're dry and cracking.

The price of labor is where you're getting bent.

Both front axles rebooted: 4.5hrs - By rebooted I mean both inner and outer CV Boots.
Both rear axles rebooted: 2.7hrs
Inner tie rods(front): 1.3hrs
Outer Tie Rods(front):1.5hrs
The above labor times do not include the cost/labor for an alignment. If they don't give you a break on doing the outer and inner tie rods at the same time, that's 10hrs labor. Even at a "cheap" repair facility that's $650.

**tmljeh19** · 07-29-2008 09:46 PM

http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/...productID=2815

^^^so this kit i linked above is all i need to replace my complete tire rod end set up in the front? from what i remember i was told i need to replace all 4 up front. I take it that means inner and outer on both sides in the front??

where is a place to get cv boots? on the ecstuning site they only show the front outer ones, what about the inner ones? also it says the kit is for the 1.8t, will they still work on my 96 2.8? Im not sure if i need to replace the inner or outer or both.

**tmljeh19** · 07-29-2008 09:57 PM

he told me that i need 2 tire rod ends on both sides in the front so i need 4 total i guess that means inner and outer on both sides in the front?

**Nebone** · 07-29-2008 10:58 PM

One tie rod is made of 2 parts; inner and outer, so it makes it 4 parts total.

2.8 and 1.8T are the same. Buy the whole assembly (inner and outer) because he probably cannot adjust the toe during alignment since the inner and outer parts are seized together.

**biketsai** · 07-29-2008 11:48 PM

Just to let you know, many alignment shops like NTB and stuff tell you things like that so you hopefully buy the new parts through them and have them install if it makes sense.

**A4Shizzle** · 07-30-2008 12:52 AM

Yea, it sounds like they are trying to sell you more than you need. They shouldn't have to replace the inner tie rods unless the joint is totally worn, not a common problem from what I understand. They shouldn't even need to replace the cv boot to do an alignment, more like "it would be a good idea to replace this while you're car is already here" sort of thing.

Even at that, I spent about $60 each for the outter tie rods when I got my car aligned. The outters were the only problem and I did them both in my garage in less than 2 hrs. A shop would be like an hour for both. If the inner tie rod ends were really bad it shouldn't be much more for labor, but about $50 more for each part. $20 each for the boots and about 2 hours each at a shop, who knows what they're doing, I'd imagine.

Before you pay up, I'd go back, acting like you know what you're talking about, and ask them if they can just change the outter tie rod ends, and exactly which cv boots need to be changed. FYI there are 4 on the car (left and right, innner and outter like the tie rods). If they really are bad, you should be able to see grease leaking form them and possibly cracks in the plastic.

**ShawFM** · 07-30-2008 05:02 AM

I just picked up a pair of TRW tie-rod ends from Murrays Auto Parts for $29 each with a lifetime warranty. Without the use of power tools it tool me less than 30 minutes per side. CV joint boots - I've always just replaced the axle with a reman unit. At least then it is 2 new boots and everything repacked with grease and a warranty.