About my '96 Accord Ex 4-dr sedan.
Car has been regularly serviced by local dealer (and mostly by same technician).
Summer 2006, I bought a new set of tires from my local BJ's Wholesale Club, installed by Tuffy's (which is adjoining to the BJ's). I also bought Tuffy's lifetime alignment/tire rotation ($164). Tuffy's installer told me that both outer tie-rods had a lot of "play", and so the alignment could not be done. They said that they could install new tie-rods for $250. Over the preceding years, I had previously paid the dealer $45 for alignments. Anyway, i took the car from Tuffy's (with the new tires on) and drove straight to the dealer. I told them what Tuffy's had said. They put the car up, took a look (same technician as usual), and said that the play was normal for Hondas. They were nice and did an alignment for free (i am a regular customer with 3 Accords - 92, 96, 06 - plus other family members go there too)
So last week, i took the car back to Tuffy's (had a flat, repair of which is covered by the hazard warranty i'd purchased with the new tires). I told them i also wanted an alignment done. Technician put the car up, then after examining, told me that the tie-rods were worn/had play in them and the alignment would not hold. He showed me where the tires were wearing more on the inside than on the outside (on all 4, since i regularly rotate them front to back) Manager quoted me a price of $230 for replacing them. I told them no, explaining what the dealer had told me in 2006. They said the technician at the dealership does not know what he's talking about.
So now i'm wondering what to do. Go to a third shop for a diagnosis? There's a reputable independent guy - only services Hondas - nearby.
Also, is it relatively simple for me to replace these outer tie-rods myself (just for sh**ts and giggles)?

It's been 2 years since you had them inspected by the dealer. A lot can happen to an 11yr old car in 2 years!

What are your miles? I've got 2 Accords, and 86 and a 96. The 96 has about 115k and the 86 almost 280k. On original suspension componentry; cv boots and an axle aside.

I think the dealer would take full advantage of them being worn if they really were. That's a nice bit of cash for them to make. You may want to try the independent shop, or take it back to the Dealer and have it rechecked; its been awhile anyways.

Tire Shops are always good at selling you crap you don't need. Sears has been the worst for my family.

I dated a woman who worked in the office for someone that owned a string of Midas Muffler shops. The owner would actually say to the store manager that since he (the owner) was paying (forget the amount but let's say) $1,000 a week for the alignment machine, then he was required to sell over $1,000 worth of work whether people needed it or not. They routinely replaced "everything" they could on the front suspension when selling alignments. The same was done with brake jobs, etc

He would take inventory and if he had too many of one kind of catalytic converter, the next few cars that were equipped with that converter got one whether it needed one or not.

Nice

Whether the alignment will "hold" or not doesn't matter. You paid for a lifetime alignment. What are the frequency stipulations in that agreement? This is why I've never purchased lifetime service anything and probably never will. I second the suggestion of taking it to an independent garage but not telling them about Tuffy's (what kind of name is that anyway?). You never know how people are connected.

I agree with benjamming... Don't mention anything about what you were told by the other mechs..

The outer tie rods are very easy to replace if you want to do it yourself. The inner ones are a PIA.

You'll need a 14mm or 17mm socket and two crescent wrenches. I usually rent the smallest pitman arm puller from autozone (1.5 inch i think) to get the tie-rod ball joint out of the knuckle. I just loosen the nut and let the tool I rent push on the nut (not the bolt or you will damage it). I hold the inner tie-rod with the crescent wrench and unscrew the outer. Installation is the reverse.

Also, make sure you mark the threads with a paint-pen, so that you know where to reinstall the new ends.

The outer tie rods are very easy to replace if you want to do it yourself. The inner ones are a PIA.

You'll need a 14mm or 17mm socket and two crescent wrenches. I usually rent the smallest pitman arm puller from autozone (1.5 inch i think) to get the tie-rod ball joint out of the knuckle. I just loosen the nut and let the tool I rent push on the nut (not the bolt or you will damage it). I hold the inner tie-rod with the crescent wrench and unscrew the outer. Installation is the reverse.

The owner would actually say to the store manager that since he (the owner) was paying (forget the amount but let's say) $1,000 a week for the alignment machine, then he was required to sell over $1,000 worth of work whether people needed it or not. They routinely replaced "everything" they could on the front suspension when selling alignments. The same was done with brake jobs, etc


This is common practice at most in and out auto repair shops and they will usually try to sell you everything (you don't need) because they are under the gun to make money. I took my Accord to an in-and-out place that I trusted (used to trust) in the past and the tech said I needed a whole new brake system ... calipers, rotors, brake lines ... everything :lmao: on my 06 Accord! The guy working the front desk actually ripped up the work order and said it was b.s. and he said that he hated the way the car repair business works! I walked out of there laughing and drove to the dealership who just replaced my rear pads ... that was all that was needed. You definitely could have worn tie rod ends but you should get another opinion just to be sure. Is there a lot of play in your steering?

Today, i took the car to the independent shop nearby - just does Hondas - for an oil change, and asked them to take a look at the brakes, suspension, and tierods. Said the tierods are good, they torque just as they are supposed to, and rocking the wheels produced no play. So it seems that Tuffy's was just trying to get me to part with my $$$.
Tonight, I wrote a letter to the CEO of Tuffy's, based in Ohio.