My truck vibrates when coming to a complete stop and during acceleration from a dead stop. Brought it to the dealer and they replaced the left front axle U-joint and also the hub bearing. However the truck still have the vibration if not worse. I was also advised that the left tie rod end needs a replacement and since its not covered by the powertrain warranty and they want $600 to replace, I told them I will do it myself. Now my question is that, is the tie rod end is causing the vibration? This is what the dealer is claiming since everything else was replaced. Anybody experienced this before? How hard is it to replace a tie rod end and where's the best place to get a replacement? What's a good price? Any special tool I need to do the job? Do I need an alignment after I replace it? Any advice or input is greatly appreciated.

 

No, I wouldn't expect the tie rod end to be causing the vibration. I would have a good look at the u-joints on the rear driveshaft.

 

I had tie rod ends replaced a while back. The first indication that they were bad was a knocking noise when going over bumps. It also had a back and forth movement in the steering wheel when turning at slow speeds but there was never any vibration.

I would agree with the previous poster and check driveshaft u-joints.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I has a bad feeling that the dealer was trying to pull a fast one on me. My truck does not have any knocking noise or back and forth movement in the steering wheel when turning. I will have then check the driveshaft u-joints.

What do I look for in a bad tie rod end other than hearing or feeling something from the steering?

 

another vote for rear drive shaft u-joints. accelerating and breaking changes angle of drive shaft and can make bad u-joints complain. Have someone turn steering wheel while you watch for play in tie rods ends but i don't think that is your problem. and i don't think you can get the old style steering linkage anymore so you would have to replace entire linkage to replace a tie rod end. personally if your not under warranty, i would drop the driveline myself and take it to a driveline services shop, get greasable ujoints, and have them check balance, it will be cheaper and you will get better parts....

 

I have 2 sets of old style steering linkage laying on my garage floor to rob parts off of. I got one tierod end link left that is good I think. I you are in a bind on a link let me know.

 

if you were going 120 mph I would guess the rotors

 

Not to say there isn't a bad tie rod end on your truck, I just don't think that's causing your vibration. Make sure you give your tie rod ends a check even if you find a bad u-joint. They have to be pretty loose sometimes before you feel it in the steering.