Tie Rod End Boot Ripped on One Side
 

Your opinions/expertise please: My shop says the right-side tie rod end boot is ripped, and that they recommend replacing both tie rod ends. Cost will be about $500.

1. Boots can't be repaired or replaced?
2. Is this the appropriate work when just one boot is ripped?
3. Is the price fair?

Thanks.

2001 A4 1.8T Quattro
Borla, GIAC (best $500 I ever spent!)

Re: Tie Rod End Boot Ripped on One Side
 

1. No, you can't just replace the boot, you have to replace the whole tie rod end (aka TRE) assembly. The cost is about $100 for both sides to have the updated "heavy duty" TREs.

2. You should do both at the same time. They will go bad over time anyway, and replacing them requires that you have an alignment afterwords. So just do both.

3. No, $500 is a RIP OFF. There are instructions on this site to DIY, and it's VERY easy. It should take you 1-2 hours to do, and like I said, parts are $100 and you'll need an alignment afterwords ($80-150 depending where you go), so figure $200 DIY versus $500 at the shop.

Re: Tie Rod End Boot Ripped on One Side
 

Thanks, Tobin. I'm not mechanical at all, but I'll definitely do some price shopping.

The only catch here is....
 

There's the inner tie-rod and the outer tie-rod on each side. That's four tie-rod pieces in total. The outers are closest to the wheels/tires and it's what everyone sees. Find out if the shop is only replacing the two outers (the most common thing everyone does). For $ 500.00 does that include the alignment? If they are only replacing the outers and there's no alignment then it's a big rip-off. You should be quoted around $ 225 maximum for that. If they are replacing all four tie-rods and doing an alignment then the price is a bit high but within reason in my opinion.

Good luck

It's only easy if they are not rusted in place...
 

unfortunately, they very frequently rust in place. I was just at a friend's house last night...it was completely rusted in place...no saving it. The entire inner and outer tie rod assembly had to be replaced as a set. More money and more drama as a result. So in theory, it should be easy, but sometimes things just don't work out that way.

... i know