I need new tie rod ends for a 1996 3500hd dually 2wd. I went to dealer they told me $900 dollars for complete kit.

Anyone out there know where a guy can save a little money?


Thanks for all the help

LOL, holy cow! YOu just need tie rod ends or is the rod damaged?
Try RockAuto.com for an idea on prices, but your local Autozone, Advance Auto Parts, Napa or whatever you have will probably stock it for close to their price. You can install these parts on your own and drive straight to a shop to have it aligned and save some bucks on labor.

That's some serious money. I always do it myself. Even if you buy all four tierods and sleeves (If needed) it shouldn't run more than $150 for the better parts(moog). To set the alignment after I put the steering wheel deadcenter, lock it with the ignition lock then set it with a tape measure and a 3 ton rolling jack. I measure the relative distance each is off then lift it dead center on crossmenber, move the tie rod(s) the the approx distance they have to move to come correct and then lower and measure to see if you're getting closer to equal. This routine has been good for 100,000 miles for us.

the hd trucks use a solid front axel and the tierod ends there is only 2 and one of them is the rod that goes from one side to the other then there is a bushing that is the adjuster and the other tierod end the only place i have found the parts at is the stealer and the are an arm and a leg:rant:

I agree, check your local autoparts store first. Napa, Levine, Autozone, etc. as for the alignment, remove the old tie rod. Set it on the work bench (or on a 2x4) and nail down a block of wood tight to each end of the the tie rod. this will give you the length that your new tie rod should be. this is by no means a final adjustment, but it will get you to the alignment shop.

If you want to align it yourself, have the front end on jackstands, tires off. Clamp straight edges to the rotors (the longer the straight edge, the better). Now measure the distance between the straight edges in front of the rotors and behind the rotors. That will tell you toe in or toe out.