tie-rod extortion
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Washington, the State
1993 300CE Sportline
tie-rod extortion
I recently posted about an alignment appointment I made at the MB dealer. I also have a tie rod with a torn boot that needs replacement. I thought I was quoted $79.95 for the 4 way alignment. I learned today that I will avoid businesses with Service Writers. The alignment price was $99.95, okay, maybe I wrote it down wrong. However, the service writers estimate was $350 to align and replace the tie rod end! Yikes! I told him i wanted a price breakdown...tie rod $65, labor was at least an hour, it still did not add up. 
I told him politely to cancel the appointment, he looked at me like he could not believe I did not want the work done. 
As I was leaving i saw the mechanic I know personally and asked him how long to install a tie rod, he said maybe 30 minutes, he would be embarassed by his fellow mechanics if longer.
Soooo, I called Caliber Motors in CA and got the price of $35 for the Mercedes Benz OEM part, stopped by my independent shop and he said 20-30 minutes to install and then a bit to confirm the alignment, on older cars he said the alignment is by concentric bolts.
It pays to shop around as we know.
I have always been a bit shy about labeling the dealership as the stealership...not any longer. Sad.
kurt
1993 300 CE goin' straight
I told him politely to cancel the appointment, he looked at me like he could not believe I did not want the work done. As I was leaving i saw the mechanic I know personally and asked him how long to install a tie rod, he said maybe 30 minutes, he would be embarassed by his fellow mechanics if longer. Soooo, I called Caliber Motors in CA and got the price of $35 for the Mercedes Benz OEM part, stopped by my independent shop and he said 20-30 minutes to install and then a bit to confirm the alignment, on older cars he said the alignment is by concentric bolts.
It pays to shop around as we know.
I have always been a bit shy about labeling the dealership as the stealership...not any longer. Sad.
kurt
1993 300 CE goin' straight
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
2006 E500 AMG PKG/2010 Camaro SS/RS - 2007 F-150 - 2007 Suburban
I went ahead and gave my mechanic the green light to do the tie rods, center link and idler arm. I just do not have time to do the job -at least not in the next few months. He is charging me $351.00 for parts and labor. The alignment is $76.00.
I am not sure if I got hosed or not - but I trust the guy and he does good work. Embarrassingly enough - I do not even know what a center link or an idler arm is!! All I know is that my steering is real loose and there is a clunking in the front end which resonates through the steering wheel. I get the car back today.
I am not sure if I got hosed or not - but I trust the guy and he does good work. Embarrassingly enough - I do not even know what a center link or an idler arm is!! All I know is that my steering is real loose and there is a clunking in the front end which resonates through the steering wheel. I get the car back today.
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Houston,TX
2001 W208A
center link is the "center " tie-rod, if you will...on the left side, its, wheel, outer tierod end/tie-rod/inner tie-rod end---conecting to steering arm from steering pump & center link------then over to right side, subsitute idler arm for steering arm
and then inner/rod/outer.... a complete tie-rod assy (inner/rod/outer) is about $50 from autohausaz or similar, center is (i think) about $60, the steering damper (shock thingy--technical speak
) is $40haven't looked up an idler arm but ...with a lift and right tools 1.5 hours is reasonable + alignment.......so your paying a fair price...I'm sure that's at least $800 fron MB......., I just got a rubber exhaust donut from the dealer (didnt want to wait for shipping) and paid $7........it is 0.91 from autohausaz ........ have you considered a power steering flush, while you getting the mechanical stuff done.....shouldn't be more than $40, with filter.......
and then inner/rod/outer.... a complete tie-rod assy (inner/rod/outer) is about $50 from autohausaz or similar, center is (i think) about $60, the steering damper (shock thingy--technical speak ) is $40haven't looked up an idler arm but ...with a lift and right tools 1.5 hours is reasonable + alignment.......so your paying a fair price...I'm sure that's at least $800 fron MB......., I just got a rubber exhaust donut from the dealer (didnt want to wait for shipping) and paid $7........it is 0.91 from autohausaz ........ have you considered a power steering flush, while you getting the mechanical stuff done.....shouldn't be more than $40, with filter.......
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
2006 E500 AMG PKG/2010 Camaro SS/RS - 2007 F-150 - 2007 Suburban
Matt:
My buddy traded his 1998 740i for it Thursday. Nice car - 1998 model, loaded, parktronic, etc... 50k miles - paid $16,700.00. He brought it over, I fixed one of his parktronic sensors, replaced some bulbs behind the dash, re-aligned a door panel - small stuff he was not sure how to fix - and a bit scared about pulling panels off the car (requires a moderate amount of pressure).
Nice car. How is yours running?
My buddy traded his 1998 740i for it Thursday. Nice car - 1998 model, loaded, parktronic, etc... 50k miles - paid $16,700.00. He brought it over, I fixed one of his parktronic sensors, replaced some bulbs behind the dash, re-aligned a door panel - small stuff he was not sure how to fix - and a bit scared about pulling panels off the car (requires a moderate amount of pressure).
Nice car. How is yours running?
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Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
2006 E500 AMG PKG/2010 Camaro SS/RS - 2007 F-150 - 2007 Suburban
center link is the "center " tie-rod, if you will...on the left side, its, wheel, outer tierod end/tie-rod/inner tie-rod end---conecting to steering arm from steering pump & center link------then over to right side, subsitute idler arm for steering arm and then inner/rod/outer.... a complete tie-rod assy (inner/rod/outer) is about $50 from autohausaz or similar, center is (i think) about $60, the steering damper (shock thingy--technical speak ) is $40haven't looked up an idler arm but ...with a lift and right tools 1.5 hours is reasonable + alignment.......so your paying a fair price...I'm sure that's at least $800 fron MB......., I just got a rubber exhaust donut from the dealer (didnt want to wait for shipping) and paid $7........it is 0.91 from autohausaz ........ have you considered a power steering flush, while you getting the mechanical stuff done.....shouldn't be more than $40, with filter.......
and then inner/rod/outer.... a complete tie-rod assy (inner/rod/outer) is about $50 from autohausaz or similar, center is (i think) about $60, the steering damper (shock thingy--technical speak ) is $40haven't looked up an idler arm but ...with a lift and right tools 1.5 hours is reasonable + alignment.......so your paying a fair price...I'm sure that's at least $800 fron MB......., I just got a rubber exhaust donut from the dealer (didnt want to wait for shipping) and paid $7........it is 0.91 from autohausaz ........ have you considered a power steering flush, while you getting the mechanical stuff done.....shouldn't be more than $40, with filter.......Marco:
thanks for the narrative - I know nothing about front end stuff.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Houston,TX
2001 W208A
no problemo......wish I could figure out how to get the good diagram of the front end components to upload...it would seem so simple......and btw----I understand ZERO about automatic transmissions.....very mysterious inside that thing, a drain and fill is all I'll attempt.....but for now the fluid is nice clear (i mean not discolored,) smells fresh, and car shifts fine......so I'm happy....
I'll disassemble a turbine engine, or a retractable landing gear assy., and (past life) brain/spinal surgery before lunch....but if I put it in "D" and nothing happens......I'm lost......
i'll keep trying to upload this thing and pm if I get it figured out.....
I'll disassemble a turbine engine, or a retractable landing gear assy., and (past life) brain/spinal surgery before lunch....but if I put it in "D" and nothing happens......I'm lost...... i'll keep trying to upload this thing and pm if I get it figured out.....
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
2006 E500 AMG PKG/2010 Camaro SS/RS - 2007 F-150 - 2007 Suburban
Ihear you.
Is there ayway to lube the front end components? When i look under the car, there appears to be areas that should be filled with grease but there are no grease fittings.? On the tie rod, on that shock absorber looking thingy in the middle (which can be turned about 30 degrees in either direction - I assume it is supposes to have play in it?), etc...
I may start another thread with this question.
BTW - did you guys get hammered in Houston like we did in San Antonio last night?
Is there ayway to lube the front end components? When i look under the car, there appears to be areas that should be filled with grease but there are no grease fittings.? On the tie rod, on that shock absorber looking thingy in the middle (which can be turned about 30 degrees in either direction - I assume it is supposes to have play in it?), etc...
I may start another thread with this question.
BTW - did you guys get hammered in Houston like we did in San Antonio last night?
Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Houston,TX
2001 W208A
Ihear you.
Is there ayway to lube the front end components? When i look under the car, there appears to be areas that should be filled with grease but there are no grease fittings.? On the tie rod, on that shock absorber looking thingy in the middle (which can be turned about 30 degrees in either direction - I assume it is supposes to have play in it?), etc...
I may start another thread with this question.
BTW - did you guys get hammered in Houston like we did in San Antonio last night?
Is there ayway to lube the front end components? When i look under the car, there appears to be areas that should be filled with grease but there are no grease fittings.? On the tie rod, on that shock absorber looking thingy in the middle (which can be turned about 30 degrees in either direction - I assume it is supposes to have play in it?), etc...
I may start another thread with this question.
BTW - did you guys get hammered in Houston like we did in San Antonio last night?
yes, the play is OK on the shock thingy )'steering dampener)...helps control the side to side jerking in the steering wheel on rough roads.....and it really works!!...
and YES we got lot's of rain/wind......just scattered damage in area....nothing at home.....more rain tonite
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Salem, OR
08 Lexus GS350 AWD. 08 Lexus RX350 AWD - wife's. 94 MBZ E320 - still have it.
Okay, back to the alignment. I just had mine done at MBZ dealer in Salem, OR for $89.95 (original quote - $95). I hate going to the dealer and I never do, however, from my experience, it is very difficult to find an independent shop that knows how to align the MBZ right. I've tried Les Schwab (big NW tire chain) and America Tire Co before and they could not do it.
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Washington
1990 300CE, 1984 190e 2.3 (sold)
Okay, back to the alignment. I just had mine done at MBZ dealer in Salem, OR for $89.95 (original quote - $95). I hate going to the dealer and I never do, however, from my experience, it is very difficult to find an independent shop that knows how to align the MBZ right. I've tried Les Schwab (big NW tire chain) and America Tire Co before and they could not do it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 1
From: Socialist West Coast
95 E320, 19 Ram 1500 Hemi, 21 GLS 580(wife)
I did mine last week. The outers...both sides, both new tie-rod assemblies. The tie-rods were not too much since I have a connection, and then I had a 4 wheel allignment which was just under 90 after I replaced the tie-rods with a picklefork and hammer..... I took the spindle off one side(driver's) and the ball joints still looked fine, I bought some anyways incase, those look like a ***** to get out. Car drives so nice now
Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Washington
1990 300CE, 1984 190e 2.3 (sold)
Well Les Schwab seemed to have no problems doing my alignment. They weren't able to print out a report since their printer was broken. Haaven't driven it much since then. We'll see how it drives on freeway later. I wonder if they really did adjust everything. Isn't it impossible to adjust the rear camber without a special adapter kit?
