Replacing Rear Outer Tie Rods - Difficult?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,008
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Replacing Rear Outer Tie Rods - Difficult?
Just got the rotors/pads replaced all around on our C5 coupe and the brake place recommended that we replace the rear outer tie rods. Is this a difficult do-it-yourself job? We don't own an impact wrench, which limits the amount of torque we're able to apply in tight spaces, so if that's the case, we'll end up having to pay the brake place to do it. We do not have a service manual, and since we're considering selling the car, we aren't going to buy one at this point. Found the parts on gmpartsdirect for ~ $146. Brake place will install them both for ~ $54, but if it's a quick and easy job, I'd rather save the money. Of course, nothing is ever quick or easy when it comes to the corvette. 
Search turned up squat as did tech tips section. TIA.
Search turned up squat as did tech tips section. TIA.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Just got the rotors/pads replaced all around on our C5 coupe and the brake place recommended that we replace the rear outer tie rods. Is this a difficult do-it-yourself job? We don't own an impact wrench, which limits the amount of torque we're able to apply in tight spaces, so if that's the case, we'll end up having to pay the brake place to do it. We do not have a service manual, and since we're considering selling the car, we aren't going to buy one at this point. Found the parts on gmpartsdirect for ~ $146. Brake place will install them both for ~ $54, but if it's a quick and easy job, I'd rather save the money. Of course, nothing is ever quick or easy when it comes to the corvette.
Search turned up squat as did tech tips section. TIA.
Search turned up squat as did tech tips section. TIA.
For only $54 I would let the shop do it. That's a very fair price.
BE AWARE, you will need to do an alignment after. I don't care how careful the shop is in measuring lengths, etc of the new T/Rs, alignment measurements are measured in fractions of degrees and you rear toe specs are going to be affected by the new ones.
HTH
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,481
Likes: 267
From: So-Cal California
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
The swap is very easy. I did my LH one and it took longer to remove the wheel then to change the tie rod. I got it to where it was reasonably close and then to the alignment shop over the following weekend. No need to pay them for something you can do in less than an hour.
