I know OEM is usually best. I want to know your (ie: not what you've heard) experience with Beck Arnley.

I found some Beck Arnley tie rod ends (outers) for $15 locally. Anyone have any experience with Beck Arnley, any horror stories that should make me return them. I was going to do Moog, but the price was more than I could justify at the moment with school fees and books having not too long ago drained my account.

They're supposed to be OEM quality, any bad experiences?

 

I've never used B/A mechanical parts, but to save a buck I have used a few electronic parts with no issues. So, if that's any sort of testament.

If you got a good warranty, I'd say used them and not worry about it.

 

The BA TRE's from Autozone have a lifetime warranty. I have a blown boot on one of mine and I bought one of the BA's about a month ago but I haven't gotten around to installing it yet. I like that it had a zerk on it so that this time it won't be overfilled with grease and blow the boot again. If it does break though at least I won't have to pay for it again...

 

That brings me to an important question. How much grease should go in? One half pump of a gun? Aren't the boots replaceable?

 

Just enough grease to somewhat "bulge" the boot. Really doesn't need much.

Don't know about B/A's, but the Moogs I got as replacement for the original OEM's have a small seep hole that helps prevent the pressure from building up too high and blowing a boot. And, besides, with the Moogs anyway, if you over grease them, the extra winds up just spooging out of the seals. They're not sealed with a wound, metal band like OEM's.

 

Oh, on OEM's, the boots are replaceable. But, if the tie rod is shot, there's no point.....of course.

 

For certain this rod ends need replacing. They have around 1/8" of play.

 

Not sure about B/A in particular but I blew out a tie rod end and replaced it with whatever the cheap brand it from autozone and it hasn't given be any problems.

 

I just replaced all 4 tie rods lastnight. I have no experience with b/a. I picked mine up from JC Whitney. They look like they are good quality and they were in-expensive. I put about 2 pumps of grease in mine as it didn't appear to have any grease from the manufacturer.

 

Don't have JC Whitney in Canada. We have NAPA, but that's about the only auto parts chain store that made it up here as far as I know. The three brands we have up here for rod ends is B/A, Moog and "brand X" (cheap, low quality).

 

We don't have JC Whitney local either. I bought mine online. Shipping is free for any order over $75. Not sure if that applies to Canada though.

 

It never does apply sadly. I'm going to give those B/A a try.

 

I have used Beck Arnley parts on my 4Runner, i have found there parts to be good quality, and i would recomend them.

 

Go for it. I like to stick with Moog or OEM, but im sure it will be fine...

 

Some Beck-Arnley tie rod ends are actually circle-555 brand, which is OEM.

If the box says "Made in Japan" then it's OEM.

If it's made elsewhere, it's not a real big deal, B-A parts are good quality.

 

I remember hearing about that (circle-555 brand). I have never seen one before...

 

Yeah, I had a look, you're right, they say Three Five on them.

Now, If I could only get the old one's out. I don't have a puller bug enough to fit over the knuckle.

 

I got a puller from princess auto for like $35. Its makes TRE's so easy

 

or a BFH

 

I tried that. I just came inside to get the maul which is basically an axe with a 12lbs head. Like most axes the back of the head is hammer-like. See if that and the pickle fork knocks it out. I have very little faith in pickle forks.

I honestly don't think anyone has done any part replacements in the last 10yrs at least.