are the outer tie rod and tie rod end the same thing? the mechanic told me i had to replace both outer tie rods and wanted to make sure i order the right parts. thanks.

 

He prbly meant both, right side and left side. If one's gone, replace them in pairs, the other one did the same distance. Yes, they're the same thing.

 

LOL The tie rod end is the thingy that goes on the end of the tie rod.
The tie rod is the whole thing. Normally only the end gets changed.

 

ok thanks guys..how hard is it to do this job and replace the outer cv boots also? diys?

 

Tie rod end --EZ -- except you will need an immediate alignment to make sure the wheels are pointed in the correct direction. You will need a big hammer to drive the tapered end out of the socket.

CV boots -- not as EZ -- I usually put rebuilt axles for about $120 each side (parts only) because that way I get new inner and outer boots. You have to pull at least one ball joint on each side to get things apart. You will have suspension parts hanging all over the place.

 

ok i guess ill just bring it to the shop then. they want to charge me 150 for labor, including wheel alignment. fair price?

 

150 an hour is a bit steep - i suspect your talking about an Audi dealer .. Try to find an independant shop that knows Audis to do the work.

 

no no, 150 for the entire job, including the wheel aligment, but im buying the parts myself. it is an independent shop.

 

Maybe a little steep but not too bad.. 4 wheel alignment's usually run about $50 to $75 and an hour to at the most to change the rod ends puts the price at $150 max...

If you need boots you might have it all done at the same time because a good shop will want to do an alignment anytime that take the front end apart.

 

yea thats what theyre going to charge me for installing the tie rod ends, outer cv boots, and the wheel alignment.