Updated April 2026
8 Ways to Save Money on Tie Rod Replacement
A tie rod replacement that costs $450 at a dealership might cost $200 at an independent shop with aftermarket parts, or under $100 if you do the outer yourself. Here are eight proven strategies to reduce your tie rod replacement bill, with specific dollar savings for each approach.
Potential Total Savings
Using all applicable strategies together, here is how much a typical outer tie rod replacement (both sides + alignment) can cost across three scenarios:
Dealership (full price)
$480-$750
OEM parts, dealer labor rate, alignment separate
Independent shop (smart buyer)
$280-$450
Aftermarket parts, 3 quotes compared, alignment bundled
DIY + shop alignment
$100-$200
Aftermarket parts, your labor, chain shop alignment
Choose an Independent Shop Over a Dealership
Save $80-$200Independent mechanics charge $80-$130 per hour compared to dealership rates of $120-$180 per hour. For the same tie rod replacement, you can save 30-40% on labor alone. Independent shops use the same diagnostic tools and often have more hands-on experience with common repairs.
Get at Least Three Quotes
Save $50-$150Pricing varies significantly between shops, even in the same area. Call three shops and ask for a quote on outer tie rod replacement including alignment. Be specific about your vehicle year, make, and model. The lowest quote is typically 25-35% less than the highest.
Ask if Alignment Is Included
Save $75-$100Many shops include a front-end alignment in the tie rod replacement price, but some quote it separately. Always ask before approving work. If it is not included, ask them to bundle it at a discount, or take the car directly to an alignment shop that may charge less.
Replace Both Sides at Once
Save $50-$120If one tie rod end is worn, the other side is often not far behind. Replacing both during a single visit saves a second alignment fee ($75-$100) and may get you a labor discount since the mechanic is already set up. Total savings can be significant compared to two separate visits.
Supply Your Own Parts
Save $30-$80 per partBuy parts from RockAuto, Amazon, or AutoZone and bring them to the shop. A MOOG outer tie rod end costs $18-$30 online versus $45-$70 at the shop parts counter. Some shops add a markup of 50-100% on parts. Call ahead to confirm the shop allows customer-supplied parts.
DIY the Outer Tie Rod End
Save $80-$150 per sideOuter tie rod replacement is rated 3 out of 10 difficulty. With basic tools and a YouTube tutorial, most people can complete it in 45-90 minutes. You will still need a professional alignment afterward ($65-$100), but you save the full labor cost of the replacement itself.
Choose Aftermarket Over OEM Parts
Save $20-$60 per partReputable aftermarket brands like MOOG, TRQ, and Detroit Axle offer tie rod ends at 40-60% less than OEM. MOOG is the most recommended aftermarket brand by mechanics. OEM only matters for luxury vehicles where tolerances are tighter or for warranty considerations.
Bundle With Other Front-End Work
Save $50-$200If you also need brakes, ball joints, or struts, bundle everything into one visit. Mechanics offer labor discounts when multiple related jobs are done together because setup and teardown overlap. A front-end package deal can save 15-25% compared to individual repairs.
Full Cost Comparison: Dealer vs Independent vs DIY
This table shows the total cost of the most common repair scenario (outer tie rod, both sides, with alignment) across three approaches. The numbers make the case for independent shops or DIY clearly.
| Line Item | Dealer | Independent | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parts (2 outer tie rod ends) | $90-$150 (OEM) | $36-$84 (aftermarket) | $36-$84 (aftermarket) |
| Labor (both sides) | $240-$360 | $160-$260 | $0 (your time) |
| Alignment | $100-$150 | $65-$95 | $75-$110 (chain shop) |
| Shop supplies/fees | $15-$30 | $0-$15 | $0 |
| Total | $445-$690 | $261-$454 | $111-$194 |
Based on a typical mid-size sedan (Camry, Accord, Altima). Trucks and luxury vehicles cost more across all categories. Last verified April 2026.
What to Say When Getting Quotes
Getting quotes over the phone saves time and lets you compare prices before committing. Use these scripts to get clear, comparable quotes from each shop:
Initial quote request
"Hi, I need an outer tie rod end replaced on both sides of my [year, make, model]. Can you give me a quote including parts, labor, and alignment? Is alignment included in the tie rod price or separate?"
Asking about aftermarket parts
"Do you offer aftermarket tie rod ends like MOOG or TRQ? I am happy with quality aftermarket parts if it saves on the total cost."
Supplying your own parts
"If I supply the tie rod ends myself, what would the labor-only charge be including alignment? I have the correct parts already ordered."
Negotiating with a higher quote
"I got a quote from another shop for $[lower amount] including alignment. Are you able to match that, or is there flexibility in your pricing?"
Key tip: Always specify your exact vehicle year, make, and model. Generic quotes are useless because pricing varies by vehicle. Get the total in writing before approving work, including whether alignment is separate.
Recommended Aftermarket Tie Rod Brands
Not all aftermarket parts are equal. These brands are recommended by mechanics and have strong track records for tie rod end quality and longevity. Choosing a reputable aftermarket brand saves 40-60% over OEM without sacrificing durability.
MOOG
$18-$45The gold standard for aftermarket steering and suspension. Used by professional mechanics across the country. Problem Solver line addresses OEM design weaknesses. Lifetime warranty on most parts.
TRQ (TruQ)
$15-$35Excellent budget option with good quality. Popular on Amazon with strong reviews. Made to OEM specifications. Good warranty coverage. Best value for budget-conscious buyers.
Detroit Axle
$14-$30Affordable aftermarket brand with decent quality. Widely available on Amazon. Good for economy vehicles where the absolute highest quality is not critical. 10-year warranty.
Lemforder
$35-$65Premium aftermarket for European vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW). OE supplier to many European manufacturers. The go-to choice when you want near-OEM quality at aftermarket pricing for European cars.
When to stick with OEM: Luxury vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, Lexus) benefit from OEM or OE-equivalent parts like Lemforder. The tighter tolerances in European suspension systems mean cheap aftermarket parts may produce noise or premature wear. For Honda, Toyota, Ford, and Chevy, MOOG or TRQ are perfectly fine.
Bundling: What to Combine With Tie Rod Replacement
If you need other front-end work, bundling it with tie rod replacement saves money because the mechanic is already disassembling the front end. Here are common bundle opportunities with estimated savings:
| Bundle With | Standalone Cost | Bundled Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint replacement (same side) | $250-$650 | $200-$550 | $50-$100 |
| Front brake pads + rotors | $250-$500 | $220-$450 | $30-$50 |
| Strut replacement | $400-$800 | $350-$700 | $50-$100 |
| Sway bar link replacement | $100-$200 | $70-$150 | $30-$50 |
| Second alignment (saved) | $75-$100 | $0 (included) | $75-$100 |
The biggest bundle savings come from the alignment: any front-end repair requires alignment, so doing multiple repairs in one visit means paying for alignment only once. A front-end package (tie rods + ball joints + alignment) at an independent shop can save $150-$250 versus doing each repair separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get tie rods replaced?
The cheapest approach is DIY replacement of the outer tie rod ends using aftermarket parts (MOOG or TRQ, $16-$30 each), followed by a front-end alignment at a chain shop ($75-$110). Total cost: $107-$170 for both sides plus alignment. If you cannot DIY, the cheapest professional option is an independent shop using aftermarket parts with alignment included. Call three shops for quotes, ask about aftermarket options, and negotiate alignment into the price. Total: $260-$450 for both sides at an independent shop.
Is it worth going to the dealership for tie rod replacement?
In almost all cases, no. Dealer tie rod replacement costs 30-50% more than an independent shop for the same repair. Dealers charge $120-$180 per hour for labor versus $80-$130 at independents, and they mark up parts by 50-100%. The only scenarios where a dealer makes sense: your vehicle is under bumper-to-bumper warranty (rare for tie rods, as they are wear items), or you have a luxury European vehicle where dealer-specific diagnostic tools are needed (also rare for tie rod work). For 95% of vehicles and situations, an independent shop is the better value.
Can I save money by supplying my own tie rod parts?
Yes, potentially $30-$80 per part. Buy MOOG or TRQ tie rod ends from RockAuto or Amazon ($16-$45 each versus $45-$100+ at the shop parts counter). Call ahead to confirm the shop accepts customer-supplied parts, as about 30% of shops do not. Shops that accept your parts may charge a slightly higher labor rate or waive the parts warranty. Even with a small labor surcharge, the savings on parts typically make this worthwhile, especially for multi-part repairs.
How much can I save by doing tie rods myself?
DIY outer tie rod replacement saves $80-$150 per side in labor costs. For both sides, that is $160-$300 in labor savings. You still need a professional alignment ($65-$110), so your total is parts plus alignment: roughly $100-$200 versus $280-$550 at a shop. The first-time tool investment adds $130-$275, but those tools are reusable for future repairs. After the first time, subsequent DIY tie rod jobs cost only parts plus alignment, making it an excellent ongoing savings.