Subaru Forester Tie Rod End Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(542)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(542)

Tie Rod End Replacement Service

How much does a Tie Rod End Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Subaru Forester Tie Rod End Replacement is $123 with $28 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2013 Subaru ForesterH4-2.5L TurboService typeTie Rod End - Rear Left Inner ReplacementEstimate$335.64Shop/Dealer Price$385.81 - $495.81
2007 Subaru ForesterH4-2.5L TurboService typeTie Rod End - Front Left Inner ReplacementEstimate$283.04Shop/Dealer Price$329.09 - $426.66
2007 Subaru ForesterH4-2.5LService typeTie Rod End - Rear Right Outer ReplacementEstimate$281.13Shop/Dealer Price$333.56 - $461.56
2012 Subaru ForesterH4-2.5L TurboService typeTie Rod End - Rear Left Inner ReplacementEstimate$299.64Shop/Dealer Price$349.80 - $459.79
2012 Subaru ForesterH4-2.5L TurboService typeTie Rod End - Front Left Inner ReplacementEstimate$299.64Shop/Dealer Price$349.87 - $459.91
2012 Subaru ForesterH4-2.5LService typeTie Rod End - Front Left Inner ReplacementEstimate$299.64Shop/Dealer Price$349.84 - $459.86
2000 Subaru ForesterH4-2.5LService typeTie Rod End - Front Left Inner ReplacementEstimate$349.54Shop/Dealer Price$409.72 - $550.23
2006 Subaru ForesterH4-2.5L TurboService typeTie Rod End - Front Right Inner ReplacementEstimate$292.04Shop/Dealer Price$338.51 - $436.40
Show example Subaru Forester 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.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Subaru mechanics

Real customer reviews from Subaru owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(542)

Rating Summary
522
8
5
1
6
522
8
5
1
6

Darnell

19 years of experience
5 reviews
Darnell
19 years of experience
Forester 1998 - Starter - Los Angeles, CA
Darnell was very professional and helpful! He broke everything down and leveled with me, which I really appreciate. Can’t recommend him enough!!

Derrick

20 years of experience
16 reviews
Derrick
20 years of experience
Forester 2017 - Oil Change - Brooklyn, NY
Superb experience!

Mike

25 years of experience
79 reviews
Mike
25 years of experience
Forester 1999 - Spark Plugs - Ann Arbor, MI
Mike was great, and I highly would recommend him. His 25 years of experience and expertise was clear by how he patiently answered all my questions. Mike was extremely helpful and efficient!

Alexander

5 years of experience
126 reviews
Alexander
5 years of experience
Forester 2010 - Wheel Stud - Columbus, OH
Alex is always over-the-top helpful and gives good guidance on upcoming care and areas to pay attention to and how to approach parts and planning for my vehicle's maintenance.

Excellent Rating

(542)

Rating Summary
522
8
5
1
6
522
8
5
1
6
Number of Subaru Forester services completed
5962+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Subaru MECHANICS
700+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How to Clean Oxidized Headlights
Since vehicle manufacturers made the widespread switch in the 1980s from easily broken glass headlights to ones made of polycarbonate...
P0222 OBD-II Trouble Code: Throttle/Pedal Position Switch/Sensor B Circuit Low Input
P0222 code definition Throttle/Pedal Position Switch/Sensor B Circuit Low Input What the P0222 code means The manufacturer specifies a range of acceptable...
Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change
Oil changes keep your car engine running smoothly. Rough idling, slow acceleration, and engine noises mean you need to replace your car oil.

Car not shifting into gear

Whether your vehicle's transmission is automatic or manual will change the diagnosis a bit. Both types of transmissions use a linkage system to connect the shifter to the transmission under the hood. Any binding or broken mechanical connection will cause...

No start issue: crank but no spark- replaced ignition coil

The starter will not have any impact on the engine's ability to produce spark. There are a number of issues that may cause an ignition system to not produce spark. A bad crankshaft position (CKP) sensor (on engines that do...

I have Rav4 2004 and i have been told that the timing cover is sepping if the do this would they also havecto drain all fluids from the car and replace other gaskets like trans pan oil pan gaskets and qould they also have acess to tenioner belt

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com