We Buy All Cars, Running or Not!

2023 Tie Rod Replacement Cost Estimates: Mechanic VS DIY

Tie Rod Replacement Cost Estimates

The tie rod replacement cost ranges from $99 to $210. The price range depends heavily on whether you plan to replace it or go to a mechanic shop.

⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️


Our vehicles are not designed to last forever, and there will be a point when you have to replace certain components. It's important for you as a driver to always determine when it is time to replace these components, especially if they're playing a critical role in your vehicle’s drivability and have to do with your safety.

Tie rod failure is very common, and you'll deal with one of those at some point in time. That's why you need to familiarize yourself with the different ins and outs of the tie rod replacement costs. With the inflation and the significant changes in the market, the current estimates for tie rod replacement might be slightly different from a couple of years ago.

Therefore, it's important for us drivers to understand that these costs are based on recent statistics when searching for the tie rod replacement costs. In this article, we will provide you with the 2023 tie rod replacement cost estimates, and we will break them down into costs based on going to the mechanic or replacing the tie rod yourself.

2023 tie rod replacement cost estimates

The tie rod replacement cost depends heavily on where you are doing the job. This is a very common issue in automobile repairs. Deciding on whether you should replace the tie rod yourself or go to a mechanic is a personal decision that depends heavily on your mechanical skill sets.


Here are the 2023 tie rod replacement cost estimates:

1.    Tie rod replacement cost at a mechanic shop: $149 to $210

If you're planning to leave the tie rod replacement to mechanics and professionals, expect to pay somewhere between $149 and $210. The price range does not include additional factors that might be site-specific, and we will highlight them in the sections below.

The biggest benefit you'll get from getting your tie rod replaced at a mechanic shop is that you're going to rely on experts. There is no chance for hit or miss or chances for damaging certain components by mistake, especially if you're doing the job yourself. However, this doesn't guarantee that the mechanics working on your people are very experienced.

That's why it's critical to determine and confirm that you're going to the right mechanic shop with the right skills. Otherwise, some new staff was trained on certain vehicles, but it's very rare.

Despite the great benefits you'll gain from getting a tie rod replaced at a mechanic shop, there are some drawbacks that you need to be aware of. For example, the overall tie rod replacement cost will be extremely more expensive than doing the job yourself, which is not surprising. The other thing is that you might need to wait in lines when you get your turn, especially if you're going to a busy dealership or mechanic shop.

If you're looking for a breakdown of the tie rod replacement cost at a mechanic shop, you would expect to pay somewhere between $99 and $148 on parts only, and the remaining range from $50 to $62.00 is related to the labor cost.

2.    Tie rod replacement cost using DIY: $99 to $148

Many people are interested in fixing their vehicles themselves and performing many DIYs. It's a great idea, especially if you're looking to save on labor costs and eliminate them. By performing the repairs yourself, you don't have to worry about labor costs at all, and all that you're dealing with is understanding that they protect the value of the vehicle's parts.

There are many benefits when performing a tie rod replacement costs yourself. For example, you don't have to worry about the busy schedule of the mechanic shop, and you don't have to worry about the labor cost, as we mentioned earlier. Also, you get a chance to advance your mechanical skill set, so if you aren't into the same problem in the future, it'll be much easier for you to fix it.

The best solution to replace the tie rod is to do it yourself. However, there are a lot of other things to consider. For example, if this is your first time replacing a tie rod, then you got to be careful because a lot of the DIYs go wrong the first time, and you're working on a vehicle, not on a small household item which means your potential risks of additional damages might be extremely high.

The other thing to consider is that many automobile replacements need certain tools and space. Therefore, if you don't have the experience to fix the vehicle or deal with contaminated fluids and other issues that could happen, then you will need to save your time and effort and go to professionals.

rod knock

How is the tie rod replacement cost estimated?

It is critical to mention that when you see any articles about automobile replacement costs, it is important to understand what went into the estimation. In other words, for the example we provided you with in this article about the tie rod replacement cost, we provided you with a national average value. This value needs to consider additional detailed information about your vehicle. Some of these details might include the following:

  • Your state taxes
  • Your vehicles make, model, and year
  • The need for additional repairs

As you might notice, many of these factors Might differ significantly depending on where you live. For example, if you live in certain states where taxes are very high, you'll see that the overall tie rod replacement cost will be much higher than the range we provided, which could be way beyond the $210.

Another thing to consider is that your vehicle's type might be a significant factor in the final money you’ll pay to replace the tie rod. For example, some vehicles might require labor-intensive jobs to get the tie rod replaced, especially if it's hard to access or if it requires a certain assembly we are only some people are familiar with it.

The last thing to consider is that when you perform a tie rod replacement, you'll most likely need additional repairs outside the range we provided above. For example, you will need to do certain replacements and additional maintenance, like replacing the inner tie rod or potentially performing a vehicle alignment. You might even need to replace the tie rod ends not included in the overall tie rod replacement cost.

That's why tons of available online calculators can get you an accurate estimate by your vehicle’s type and condition, along with the different expected repairs you might have. For example, you might want to try repairpal.com, which is a great place for getting accurate estimates about vehicle maintenance, including what type of additional maintenance you might need in addition to the repairs you're looking to perform.

Engine Knock at Idle Only

Tie rod replacement costs frequently ask questions

If you're new to the automobile industry, you might have many basic questions about the tie rod and its replacement cost. Here are some of the commonly asked questions from many of our readers who had to deal with tie rod problems:

1.    What is the tie rod?

The tie rod is an important component in any vehicle suspension system. It transfers information and movement from the steering wheels to the wheels. In other words, if the tie rod is not working properly, whatever you're doing with the steering wheel is not going to be translated, and your vehicle is not going to turn the way you want.

2.    How often should I replace the tie rod?

Replacing the tie rod depends on your vehicle's type and condition. Typically, automotive experts recommend replacing your tire somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 miles. Of course, if you're currently dealing with certain damages in your tie rod, your mechanic might advise you to replace it soon.

In other words, if you got involved in a major car accident or hit something that destroyed the tie rod, you would need more than 30,000 miles or 20,000 miles to fix the tie rod because this impacts your safety.

3.    What are the common symptoms of a failing tie rod?

Sometimes the tie rod might fail prematurely, and that's where you as a driver have to pay attention to certain symptoms that could help you detect the problem as early as possible. Mechanics and experts always indicate that if you could detect the problem early, you might get the vehicle fixed without needing to install major components in most situations.

Here are the most common symptoms of a failing tie rod:

  • Wheels that are loose and not completely connected to the system
  • The tires are not going to we're out evenly
  • The steering wheel will behave strangely, and your actions are not going to be translated properly
  • The steering wheel might not respond at all in certain situations
  • Your vehicle alignment will be impacted significantly

As you might know, what has, many of these symptoms are very obvious, and therefore, for you as a driver, it is critical that you never ignore any of them. The earlier you notice them, the more you help yourself save money on the tie rod replacement cost.

4.    Is it worth fixing a failing tie rod?

It all depends. In other words, depending on your situation, you might get an answer of yes or no. Sometimes if your vehicle has major problems that are related to significant components. Say that your engine is failing or the transmission has no remaining time in its lifetime. In that case, it's unlikely that you should fix the tie rod because it will not be worth it.

On the other hand, if your vehicle is in good condition and the only problem you're dealing with is a failing or damaged tie rod. In that case, it's worth the repair because replacing the tie rod is relatively inexpensive compared to other major mechanical problems.

The only thing you want to do is to stop driving your vehicle with a failing tire out because it impacts your safety.

5.    Is it OK to drive with a bad tie rod?

Some customers might feel that since the problems are not going to be major, it's fine to continue driving with a bad tie rod. However, that's not recommended at all!

Automotive experts indicate that problems with tie rods can evolve significantly in a very short time. Therefore, if you start noticing any minor issues with the tie rod, you must get it fixed immediately. The longer you wait, the more you risk your life and the life of other people driving with you on the road.

Even worse, continuing driving with a bad tire rod might even lead to other damages to the suspension system. Imagine that you have something impacting the vehicle alignment or the tire wear, and it's still there; what’s going to happen to the car? Everything will be messed up, and the potential repair costs will pile up to the point where you need to give up on your car and sell it.

Therefore, whatever prevents you from fixing the tie rod should not be a higher priority considering the potential consequences of ignoring a failing tie rod.

how much does a junkyard engine cost

Tie rod replacement cost: final thoughts

The tie rod is a critical component in your vehicle, and understanding the tie rod replacement is very handy when you're ready to replace this component. There are different estimates on the Internet, many of which are based on historical values that are not applicable in 2023. This article provided an accurate national average of the tie rod replacement cost as of 2023. We highly encourage you to go through the pros and cons of replacing the tyrant yourself or going to a mechanic, although it might not be the best cost-saving option.

If you're planning to give up on your car and purchase a new one without any tie rod problems, you're more than welcome to contact Cash Cars Buyer at 7737914363.

© 2022 Cash Cars Buyer. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Sitemap