Got new tires from a local guy and asked him to do the alignment, also. He said the tie rod ends were shot and couldn't align it untl we did that. For $80 labor (plus he probably made $50 on the parts on me) I asked him to do it, guessing since I'm in the salt belt the job might be a bitch. Soon as he got into it he called back and said it was too corroded (heat, hammer, blaster etc) and I needed the entire rod. Long story short, $300 total in labor later I'm all set (plus $97 alignment). By the way I've got the old tie rods and they are crap.

How hard is the job to replace the entire tie rod, I'm just wondering now?

2000 a4 1.8Q M atw

 

its not hard at all but if its corroted they are a PITA to get off.