Honda Civic MK 8: Tie Rod End

[Distorted Vision]

I just had a tyre changed at Kwik Fit. They said the rubber boot on the tie / rack rod end on the N/S front has perished and has leaked the grease.

I asked them if I could just replace the boot but they said that you have to replace the whole tie rod end as its a complete assembly with the boot packed full of grease.

I just wanted to check this is correct because the boot is available as a separate part.





The complete tie rod is £103.58 for the original Honda part.

If the complete tie rod needs replacing how long would it take a garage to replace?

[Scrump]

Once they get that bad I have always replaced the tie rod end as a new unit. If the grease has leaked out then the tie rod joint will not be in a good state. Cheaper parts from a motor factors.
Time to replace would not be too long, less than an hour (I have never done one on a civic).

[Draxindustries1]

Far easier and less time consuming is just to renew the track rod end. Likely around £15 from Euro car parts or similar. 30 minutes to fit.

[littleredrooster]

If the joint is otherwise OK, no reason why you cannot just replace the boot. I also suspect that a rod-end from the local factor would be well under £100 too! If it's not seized solid (and it's a big 'if'...), it should take well under an hour including getting the car on and off the ramp.

[E-bmw]

As above, easier/quicker, (which ultimately means cheaper) to change the full thing.

Normal practice would be to change both sides together and then get the tracking checked/adjusted rather than do the job twice in 2 years as they will both be the same age and the other may well fail in the next year anyway.

[Distorted Vision]

I actually managed to buy the original Honda part on eBay for £20 from a reputable seller. I also got the left side one from a Honda dealer on eBay for £30 just in case. The aftermarket versions go for around this price. Will call my garage to book when they arrive. They don't mind me supplying my own parts.

[Distorted Vision]

I paid Kwik Fit £60 to do the tracking yesterday when they replaced the tyre.. They didn't advise me I'd have to get it done again after they replace the tie rod ends.

[Catnip64]

Distorted Vision said:

I paid Kwik Fit £60 to do the tracking yesterday when they replaced the tyre.. They didn't advise me I'd have to get it done again after they replace the tie rod ends.

It's advisable to get the tracking checked after changing the tie rods, especially as you have just bought new tyres!

[Smint]

Distorted Vision said:

I paid Kwik Fit £60 to do the tracking yesterday when they replaced the tyre.. They didn't advise me I'd have to get it done again after they replace the tie rod ends.

So long as the new TRE is indentical in every way to the original and threaded on to exactly the same point on the steering rack then no it wouldn't need re-alignment, this depends on the lock not only being cracked a fraction.

[stevemcs]

Smint said:

So long as the new TRE is indentical in every way to the original and threaded on to exactly the same point on the steering rack then no it wouldn't need re-alignment, this depends on the lock not only being cracked a fraction.

They never go back in the same place, Kwik fit really should have said leave the alignment, get the track rod end replaced then come back. I'd normally allow 30 mins plus wheel geo plus part. I wouldn't change the boot just the end.

[Distorted Vision]

Do you think I have grounds to make a complaint to Kwik Fit Customer Services and ask for either a refund for the tracking or to redo the alignment free of charge after the tie rods have been fitted by my garage?

[Draxindustries1]

Distorted Vision said:

Do you think I have grounds to make a complaint to Kwik Fit Customer Services and ask for either a refund for the tracking or to redo the alignment free of charge after the tie rods have been fitted by my garage?

Tell them you want it re checked f.o.c
They shouldn't have charged you knowing full well the joint was worn out..

[E-bmw]

stevemcs said:

Smint said:

So long as the new TRE is indentical in every way to the original and threaded on to exactly the same point on the steering rack then no it wouldn't need re-alignment, this depends on the lock not only being cracked a fraction.

They never go back in the same place, Kwik fit really should have said leave the alignment, get the track rod end replaced then come back. I'd normally allow 30 mins plus wheel geo plus part. I wouldn't change the boot just the end.

^^^ Wot 'e said.

They may look identical & have identical lengths but each & every one will have the thread start in a different place, so it is only ever a rule of thumb, to get you on the road, alignment should always follow.

[E-bmw]

Distorted Vision said:

I paid Kwik Fit £60 to do the tracking yesterday when they replaced the tyre.. They didn't advise me I'd have to get it done again after they replace the tie rod ends.

They won't.

They want you to pay twice.

Obviously, it is well worth a complaint to the manager.

[TwinKam]

Possibly a 'misunderstanding'?.. if only the boot was changed ie the end was not unscrewed from the track rod, then the tracking would not need to be checked again.
The vast majority of joints have a circumferential retaining groove just below the rim and can therefore take an appropriately sized 'universal' type boot, where the split ring secures the boot into the groove.
Others such as Honda don't have a machined groove and the boots are a press-on 'interference fit' thanks to a metal component in the boot... in which case an OE boot is required,
It is not possible to change the boots at all on some joints where the boot is crimped on.

[Distorted Vision]

Actually no there was no misunderstanding. I showed him a pic of the rubber boot and asked him if this was the correct part. He said no the whole tie rod end assembly needs replacing as its a sealed unit and the boot is packed with grease. This was the reason for my original post if you refer back.

I made a complaint via the contact form on their website. They haven't replied. They make such issue how they value customer feedback and how great their customer service is. Will send them a tweet on Twitter tomorrow.

[Distorted Vision]

They haven't replied to my complaint. I contacted them on Twitter they said their response time is 3-5 working days. It's been over a week. Kwik Fit always says how much they pride themselves on Customer Service and how they always love hearing your feedback. It seems they are only interested if the feedback is singing their praises.