Mismatched outer tie rod ends
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Mismatched outer tie rod ends
I'm almost positive this doesn't matter as long as they're properly aligned, but it's making my a** itch. A couple weeks ago, I replaced the passenger rear outer tie rod end with the OE AC Delco piece. Soon after, I discovered the driver's side boot was torn, and at that point had discovered Eckler's sold a heavy duty greasable one for cheaper than OE, so I got that one. Would it be worth it to order another Eckler's one for the passenger side so they match and try to sell the AC Delco one since it has MAYBE 15 miles on it, or am I overthinking it because I've been stuck in the house for a month?
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,080
Likes: 7,398
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
That is the kind of stuff that bothers the hell out of me even though it will have no detrimental effects in the performance of the car.
Truth be told, your car is fine.
If you haven't gotten it aligned yet and it bugs you enough, go ahead and buy the one you want and then get it aligned.
Truth be told, your car is fine.
If you haven't gotten it aligned yet and it bugs you enough, go ahead and buy the one you want and then get it aligned.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
That is the kind of stuff that bothers the hell out of me even though it will have no detrimental effects in the performance of the car.
Truth be told, your car is fine.
If you haven't gotten it aligned yet and it bugs you enough, go ahead and buy the one you want and then get it aligned.
Truth be told, your car is fine.
If you haven't gotten it aligned yet and it bugs you enough, go ahead and buy the one you want and then get it aligned.
Same here!
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 113
Likes: 28
Even if you do race it, after the alignment the car will be mechanically fine. The problem lies with the owner. I have the same issue. My OCD goes crazy when things don't match which usually costs me money that I don't want to spend because I end up replacing a set rather than just the bad part.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Even if you do race it, after the alignment the car will be mechanically fine. The problem lies with the owner. I have the same issue. My OCD goes crazy when things don't match which usually costs me money that I don't want to spend because I end up replacing a set rather than just the bad part.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Funny, I'm going through the same dilemma. Saw that the boots were torn on my red 99 on the driver's side front and rear. So I ordered a grease-able one for the front and stock for the rear. Yesterday, I go to put on the passenger's sides brakes and then notice the front boot is also torn. How in the hell did I miss that the first time? Now I have to order another front tie rod end 
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 119
Funny, I'm going through the same dilemma. Saw that the boots were torn on my red 99 on the driver's side front and rear. So I ordered a grease-able one for the front and stock for the rear. Yesterday, I go to put on the passenger's sides brakes and then notice the front boot is also torn. How in the hell did I miss that the first time? Now I have to order another front tie rod end
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski