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AutoZone TRE Probs?

SliceTheRice

SliceTheRice

New member
Within the last, oh, few thousand miles or so I've replaced my control arms, bushings, ball joints, axles, R&P, lower motor mount, and my front struts/mounts were replaced a little over a year ago. When I replaced my CA's, I figured I'd put some fresh outer TRE's on because the ones I had were lifetimes from AZ and the old one's boots were cracked and had some good mileage on them. Well the problem is that because I replaced so much so close together, it was difficult to see what symptoms were removed by which components being replaced. Well now my steering is super loose, sloppy, I'm still getting knocks and clunks, and it's driving me nuts. I thought maybe the ISS was the problem because that's all that was left, but I got a flat tire the other day and took the car into big-O for a flat fix. They came back and told me that the outer TRE's were shot. The same TRE's that I replaced only a few weeks ago (they are the sealed style where previously AZ gave me greasable style). After thinking about it I could see how TRE's could be causing my issue, but it just seemed weird that they'd crap out so fast.

So my question is: has anyone else had bad experiences with AZ TRE's? I'm debating springing for some Moog's, but I really like having free TRE's for life (assuming they actually work).

I probably should just pop the TRE's out of the knuckle and see how stiff the joint is eh?
 


I always get greaseable Moogs. Why would I want to keep replacing tie rods every time I change the oil just because they are free? My time is more valuable than that, as is my safety. What if one of those "lifetime warranty" tie rods breaks while driving? Not good.

And yes, I've seen Autozone parts fail that quickly. Some even right out of the box. You get what you pay for :th_winking:
 
Rock Auto usually. If I'm in a pinch then OReilly's.


MOOG Part # ES3453
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Frt Strg; Outer
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$36.79
 
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They carry it, but the tie rod will run you about $55. Depending on how much shipping is from Rock Auto it may work out to be the same amount.
 


I sell parts at a dealership, when we cant sell gm parts, we opt for Moogs from the local Oreilly's... we hardly use AZ for the parts because from what we've seen they just don't hold up as well. Multiple customers coming back in for parts warranties is not good.

Check the price differences and go with the Moogs, they are fantastic
 
Phew! So $110 for a set of TRE's? Ouch! Looks like a pair of Moog's shipped to me from Rock Auto runs me $83. Catch is that O'Reilly's gives the warranty.

I actually used to work at Checker (back in the day) and I agree their stuff is higher quality. It's just that AZ offers a lifetime warranty on pretty much everything so for some the risk of having to swap the stuff out is worth the guarantee of never having to pay for the same part again. For me it depends on the part. Suspension and steering stuff -I'm leaning towards quality rather than cheapness.

I'll be pissed though if I put these Moogs on and my steering/driving doesn't change.
 
SliceTheRice said:
...I'll be pissed though if I put these Moogs on and my steering/driving doesn't change.
Click to expand...

Given that you said -

"Within the last, oh, few thousand miles or so I've replaced my control arms, bushings, ball joints, axles, R&P, lower motor mount, and my front struts/mounts were replaced a little over a year ago."

If all those were replaced with AZ parts, and of similar quality to the TRE's, then it IS possible with a years worth of driving other parts may have to be replaced.
As I ALWAYS say, when it comes to cars especially, you get what you pay for. Most manufacturers don't ask alot of money for a part just because they want to get a million dollars for a TRE :th_winking:
 
TLSheff said:
If all those were replaced with AZ parts, and of similar quality to the TRE's, then it IS possible with a years worth of driving other parts may have to be replaced.
Click to expand...

The CA's, ball joints, and bushings are Moog's, and the R&P is AC Delco. Granted, the axles are AZ, but I've already confirmed they fixed a problem I was having. :th_thumbsup-wink:

I'll probably end up going with the Moog TRE's, but I'm going to check out the joints on these AZ ones just to make sure and for curiousity if nothing else.
 


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