markandersen

I'm getting ready to replace tie rod ends and the pitman arm on my 1989 4Runner, 4wd, 22re. JC Whitney has the tie rod ends for around 10 bucks. At AutoZone, they are 15 for outer, 30 for inner. Is there a difference in quality, or are the prices just that much better? The JC parts are supposedly OE quality. Likewise, the pitman arm is 18 at JC, and 45 at Autozone. Again, is this a quality difference, or just a price difference?

Secondly, how much time should I allow myself to do this? Is a day enough for all 5 parts? A weekend? Can I limp into an alignment shop after installing them, or will I have to get a tow? Would appreciate hearing experiences from others who have done this on a similar model.

Thanks!

markandersen

Should also have asked--any other recommendations for places to buy parts?

abecedarian

1- compare warrantees
2- are the rod-ends greasable? (my autozone ones are)
3- when you factor in shipping, which is cheaper? (autozone ships to your local store for free)

as for time, you could probably do it all in a few hours. when doing the tie-rod ends, count the number of turns it takes to remove the old one, then install your new one the same number of turns. It might help to take a look at the truck before you start, and if for some reason the new ones don't have the wheels pointing in the same direction, try getting the tires pointing the same. I've used long bubble levels to make marks on the ground I can use to put the tires back as close as I can. As long as the truck doesn't shift much, it's good enough to get to the shop.
Depending on how far it is to the shop for the alignment, all you should have to do is make sure the front wheels are as close to parallel as you can get. If you have to drive more than say 50 miles to the alignment shop, then I'd tow it.

markandersen

abecedarian--thanks for the quick reply!

1--JC doesn't specify a warranty. Looks like it's lifetime limited with AutoZone

2--Good question. JC doesn't specify.

3--JC ships for free if the order is over $75 (it will be once I throw in the new Ranchos).

I will buy at least some of the parts from AutoZone, regardless, so I can use their Loan-A-Tool program and not have to buy something I'll probably never use again (end puller, separator).

Good suggestion on marking the ground. Doesn't sound too daunting... We'll see!

abecedarian

you're welcome!

take lots of pics and post them. this sort of thing can be helpful to others.
(unfortunately I was in a motel parking lot and didn't have a camera when I did my lift install (which included tie-rod ends and new ball joints))

abecedarian

oh, and if you can, use the screw type separator- I had bad luck with the pickle fork: it didn't work. might have had something to do with 230k miles on the suspension though.

a4runnerfreak

why did you do your work in a motel parking lot, abe? Or is that 1 of those questions best left to the imagination?

abecedarian

the deal was better on craigslist.

but if you want the serious answer... scroll down.

a4runnerfreak

so, you meet the person you "purchased" the parts from at a motel. INTERESTING. Was Sin part of all this, or do I get to tell her this nasty lil secret of yours?

Junkers88

Hell you can't really blame Abe. If I could get a better deal on a lift for a little bit of bounce I'd be in motel parking lots all the time.

Matt16

Of all the places to break down, a pay by the hour motel wouldn't be be my first choice, especially if it was parked front and centre and the motel on your boss'/ gf/ wife/ mother's way home. Suppose it is motivation to giterdone fast.

abecedarian

so anyhow...
was out of town doing work on some Verizon EVDO overlay stuff in Monterey, CA. Saw the lift kit on Craigslist for 400. Came from a guy doing an SAS swap in Scott's Valley (east of Santa Cruz). I actually got the whole front end from his truck, spindle-to-spindle (minus axle shafts and diff). Thought to myself... "SELF? Yes. Used parts? No, new parts." so instead of just R&R'ing my susp for his, I tore his apart, used the lift-specific parts on mine, and installed new ball joints and tie rod ends... in the parking lot of the motel I was staying at. Took about 9 hours total, but was spread across two days.

so sorry to all you Jerry Springer wannabe's.

abecedarian

and if it matters to you all, I did the lift kit on Sin91's truck in the parking lot of a motel 6 in Pleasonton, CA in about 4 hours.
and it cost me 400 plus another 50 for some extended shackles. *for the truck, no ho's involved*

a4runnerfreak

But junks, would you play the role "bouncee" like Abe did? And I'm not bringing Sin or her truck into this.....

a4runnerfreak

Abe, I've driven thru Pleasonton, there are no "ho's". Just those "bro's" who take it like "ho's".....

abecedarian

okay... I'm not liking the visuals

abecedarian

well, you've driven through, but not stayed. 'nuff said.

a4runnerfreak

I kept going just on what I saw of downtown.....I will admit, scared the hell outta me

abecedarian

what freeway were you on?

a4runnerfreak

was either the 580 or the 680. I was visiting some friends in Walnut Creek a couple of years ago....the 680, I think. It was a while ago