[zx11ninja]

Hi all.


I have a 1997 1.6L Toyota Corolla with a 5-speed manual transmission, which just turned 229K miles today. I just got a new set of tires, and was told that my alignment could not be completed, as I need new inner and out tie rods in the front (left and right), and new lateral control rods in the rear (left and right).

I have found a source for the front inner and outer tie rods. Does anyone know of a source (URL) for purchasing the rear lateral control rods? Toyota wants $140 for each lateral control rod assembly. I'm sure someone knows of a place where these parts can be purchased less expensively.

As my car has a lot of life left in it, any help would be appreciated.


Take care.

-Z

 

[Bitter]

whats wrong with your rods? if its the bushings gone bad see if toyota sells just the bushings?

 

[zx11ninja]

whats wrong with your rods? if its the bushings gone bad see if toyota sells just the bushings?

Hi all.


Thanks for the reply Bitter. Everything is frozen. For the left and right side of the car, the inner and outer front tie rods are frozen so that no adjustment can be made. The same goes for the rear lateral control rods (rear tie-rods). I was told this by a Toyota dealership mechanic. Unfortunately, it was confirmed by the store that mounted the new tires. In both cases, the mechanic even used a torch, but the parts would not give. I can't do an alignment without getting them replaced. As I'm doing the work myself, I need to pay for parts only.

Do you or does anyone know of a place from which to get aftermarket lateral control rods for the rear of my car?

I've trued AutoZone and Advanced Auto Parts, but they both tell me that they do not stock the lateral control rods. They also tell me that these are dealer-only items, and are not made aftermarket. Is this true?

Thanks in advance for any help.


Take care.

-Z

 

[Bitter]

mine were always rusted up good, i watched the alignment shop heat them up with a torch and free the nuts to adjust them several times. sounds like the dealership may just be trying to sell you parts.

 

[zx11ninja]

mine were always rusted up good, i watched the alignment shop heat them up with a torch and free the nuts to adjust them several times. sounds like the dealership may just be trying to sell you parts.

Hi all.


Thanks for the reply Bitter. I could try to heat them up with my own torch. However, in the process, I could end up damaging them. Although, I don't think a regular propane torch can generate enough heat to warp/destroy a solid piece of steel. If I were using a MAPP gas torch (much hotter flame than regular propane), then maybe damage would result.

As the front tie rods are more critical to driving stability, I have no problem with replacing them with new ones. The rear tie rods (lateral control rods) are less critical, so I can work on those with my own torch.

Perhaps the mechanics did not want to spend the time in trying to free them, as it might have taken a long while to do so.


When your shop broke your tie rods free with heat, did they clean the rust from them with a wire brush or equivalent and put grease on them to prevent them from seizing up again?

Above all, my main concern is safety. Therefore, I should probably just buy all new parts. After all, the parts are 10 years old and have lasted 229K miles.


Thanks.


Take care.

-Z

 

[Bitter]

it wasnt my shop that did that to my car, it was just an alignment shop..before i started my current job.

fronts are easy to replace and should be replaced as theyre probably worn anyways. the rear arms you will need air tools for, no way around it! even for the fronts a good impact gun is a big help. the rears just cant be done with hand tools, you'll end up snapping the bolts, rounding the nuts, or just not budging anything.