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Geo Metro Tie Rod End Replacement at your home or office.

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Tie Rod End Replacement Service

How much does a Tie Rod End Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Geo Metro Tie Rod End Replacement is $144 with $49 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1996 Geo MetroL4-1.3LService typeTie Rod End - Rear Right Outer ReplacementEstimate$212.69Shop/Dealer Price$247.12 - $327.89
1992 Geo MetroL3-1.0LService typeTie Rod End - Rear Right Inner ReplacementEstimate$264.55Shop/Dealer Price$310.09 - $412.91
1997 Geo MetroL4-1.3LService typeTie Rod End - Rear Right Inner ReplacementEstimate$426.03Shop/Dealer Price$488.60 - $604.19
1990 Geo MetroL3-1.0LService typeTie Rod End - Rear Right Inner ReplacementEstimate$217.05Shop/Dealer Price$257.56 - $356.60
1992 Geo MetroL3-1.0LService typeTie Rod End - Rear Left Outer ReplacementEstimate$192.69Shop/Dealer Price$227.15 - $307.95
1995 Geo MetroL4-1.3LService typeTie Rod End - Front Right Inner ReplacementEstimate$426.03Shop/Dealer Price$488.60 - $604.19
1996 Geo MetroL4-1.3LService typeTie Rod End - Front Right Inner ReplacementEstimate$442.03Shop/Dealer Price$504.16 - $619.42
1992 Geo MetroL4-1.3LService typeTie Rod End - Front Right Inner ReplacementEstimate$458.49Shop/Dealer Price$525.93 - $654.43
Show example Geo Metro Tie Rod End Replacement prices

What are tie rod ends and how do they work?

Your car’s steering rack or gearbox (depending on the vehicle) is bolted in a fixed position to the frame of your vehicle. But the car’s wheels move up and down to smooth out road irregularities, and also left and right as you turn the steering wheel. The tie rod end is connected between the track rod of the steering assembly and the steering knuckle. A tie rod has a ball-and-socket joint to accommodate these movements. Cars will typically have two tie rod ends on each side: one inner tie rod end and one outer tie rod end — four total with a set of two per side. Tie rod ends are usually permanently greased but some may have Zerk fittings for re-greasing, including aftermarket ones. Tie rod ends are adjustable and accuracy is critical for proper front wheel alignment.

When to consider replacing tie rod ends:

  • Vehicle wandering, pulling, or premature tire wear out. Loose tie rod ends may cause the vehicle to not track straight ahead. You may also notice excessive tire wear on the front tires.
  • Missing, damaged, or leaking rubber boot or bellows. The grease in an outer tie rod end is retained by a rubber seal. If the seal has failed, the grease will leak out and the joint will be contaminated and worn down by road dirt. Inner tie rod ends are protected by extensible bellows. If the bellows has torn and is noticed early, only it needs to be replaced.
  • Obvious looseness in the component. Mechanics use specified tests to determine if there is wear in a tie rod end. For example, the resistance to turning of the ball stud in the outer tie rod end can be measured and compared against the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) specifications. However, without the use of any instruments, any detectable play in the ball stud indicates the tie rod end must be replaced. Excessive play will also make it impossible to properly set toe alignment.
  • Clunking noises, lack of smooth steering. Noise from the suspension on turning, or binding when you turn the steering wheel, could be due to tie rod end defects. Steering rack or power steering assist problems can account for these problems too.

How do mechanics replace tie rod ends?

  • The vehicle is jacked up and supported on steel safety stands.
  • The tire and wheel assembly is removed.
  • If possible, the existing tie rod end length is measured and recorded. Installing the new tie rod at the same length as the old helps in the alignment process.
  • The tie rod end adjusting lock nut or sleeve is loosened. Then, a tie end removal tool is used to separate the tie rod ball stud from the steering knuckle. The tie rod is then unthreaded from its connection to the inner tie rod end.
  • On a rack and pinion type steering system, if an inner tie rod end is being replaced, the tie rod steering shaft boot is removed and the tie rod unthreaded from the steering rack and the outer tie rod end.
  • New tie rod ends are installed with all fasteners and the adjusting lock nut tightened to the required OEM torque value. During installation, the length recorded during removal is applied to aid the later wheel alignment process.
  • With only a few exceptions, anytime a suspension component is removed and replaced on your car, the vehicle alignment must be inspected, measured, and adjusted to factory specifications. Using portable equipment, some mobile mechanics can perform a mobile alignment at your location. More likely though, the final step will be a trip to a local alignment shop for measurement, and adjustment as needed, of the vehicle alignment.

Is it safe to drive with a tie rod end problem?

No. Tie rods ends are a critical mechanical linkage in the steering system. If a known problem exists, such as wear, looseness, or binding, the possibility of sudden and unpredictable breakage of the tie rod remains, which would cause loss of steering control. Consequently, it is not safe to drive the car if the tie rod ends have a known deficiency. Tie rod ends should always be inspected per the maintenance schedule.

When replacing tie rods keep in mind:

  • It is recommended to replace tie rod ends in pairs. There are four tie rod ends on most vehicles. The outer tie rod ends — one per side — are most susceptible to wear and failure. If one outer tie rod end has failed, the other is probably not far behind.
  • After the repair is performed the vehicle must be aligned, either on a mobile basis or at a good alignment shop.
  • A good alignment job will provide you with pre and post-alignment printouts of your car’s alignment settings. A good shop will set the alignment to the “preferred” factory setting, not just the “allowed” settings. A job well-done will also have performed a careful inspection of the suspension beforehand to ensure the new alignment remains durable and stable. The best alignment results will be achieved if the tires on your car are not unevenly worn.

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Excellent Rating

(18)
Rating Summary
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Jose

17 years of experience
433 reviews
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Jose
17 years of experience
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by Cari
Geo Metro L3-1.0L - Oil Change - Beaverton, Oregon
What a great service! Jose was fantastic... a great mechanic and a really nice man.

Kevo

312 years of experience
189 reviews
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Kevo
312 years of experience
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by Raquela
Geo Metro L3-1.0L - Oil Change - Elk Grove, California
When I called on yourmechanic.com's service, I was a little nervous. I wasn't sure what to expect. Well, Kevin was so professional and he went beyond the call of duty too. When he was done, he did not pressure me or make me feel like I owed him anything more. He really loves what he does! Very thorough, especially when it came to other problems that he spotted in my engine. He was so organized. I was incredibly impressed. I teach private voice from home so as a result, it's hard to leave my house during work week hours. So frustrating. I know nothing about cars. All I know is music, so I need a mechanic I can trust, a mechanic who cares and a mechanic who will be completely honest with me. Kevin came to do a simple oil change. He respected the fact that I am a single woman who can't afford to get stranded in the middle of anywhere, so Kevin automatically stayed longer with my car. Wow! Why can't every mechanic be like Kevin? I am going to start calling him "Dr. Kevin", because within only an hour he diagnosed my little car with several other problems. He identified and explained clearly what those problems were while I was on break. He was so easy to understand. Like I said, I know very little about cars, I mean, he used layman terms so after he left, I confidently knew exactly what I needed to do in order to have my car completely ready to pass its next smog test. Great gentleman. Great personality. I felt so safe with him. I will surely be asking for Kevin next time I go to yourmechanic.com AND I will also highly recommend Kevin by name to my friends!

Vladimir

10 years of experience
214 reviews
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Vladimir
10 years of experience
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by Jacques
Geo Metro L3-1.0L - Fuel Injector - Roseville, California
Very knowledgeable and punctual. A professional.

Tyrus

23 years of experience
65 reviews
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Tyrus
23 years of experience
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by David
Geo Metro L4-1.3L - Oil Change - Round Rock, Texas

Excellent Rating

(18)
Rating Summary
18
0
0
0
0
18
0
0
0
0
Number of Geo Metro services completed
198+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Geo MECHANICS
70+
experts on our platform
Yourmechanic was featured in

New York Times NBC CBS Forbes INC Tech Crunch

Learn more about us

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