[KevinDonut]

My wife bump into the parking lot column with the front left tire while backing out and caused the steering wheel off center (alignment off). I went to the shop for alignment and the tech told me the tie rod, both inner and outer are bent and need to be replaced. He used hex wrench and turned the tie rod to show me the bent and told me it supposedly need to be straight.

Did anyone replace them before and roughly how much the parts cost? Is there any aftermarket ones or only OEM parts?

Thx for any input.

[PINeely]

I've done a few. They're pretty easy to get on and off and the parts are cheap, totally DIY-able. Remember to get an alignment afterwards.

Here is ECSTuning's selection of tie rods. They range from 110 for an OEM to 25 for an aftermarket. I suggest going with Lemforder if you are going to replace only this one, or if you want to spend a bit extra the Meyle rods are an improvement over OEM (bigger bushings, tighter steering) but you'll need both sides.

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335...earch/Tie_Rod/

[KevinDonut]

Originally Posted by PINeely

I've done a few. They're pretty easy to get on and off and the parts are cheap, totally DIY-able. Remember to get an alignment afterwards.

Here is ECSTuning's selection of tie rods. They range from 110 for an OEM to 25 for an aftermarket. I suggest going with Lemforder if you are going to replace only this one, or if you want to spend a bit extra the Meyle rods are an improvement over OEM (bigger bushings, tighter steering) but you'll need both sides.

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E90-335...earch/Tie_Rod/

Much appreciated for the info PINeely!

Of course my evil side told me to replace both sides with HD ones...but it may not fly when i tell my wife...so i guess i may go with Lemforder for the bent side this time.

Again, thx for the input.

[robc1976]

Here is my DIY on tie-rods....I would get the Meyle HD and they are better than OEM and cheaper.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=791726

[AlanAZ]

If you got a fair amount of mileage on suspension components, it's best to replace them in pairs -- otherwise one side is worn and the other is new, and can cause the car to be squirrely.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by AlanAZ

If you got a fair amount of mileage on suspension components, it's best to replace them in pairs -- otherwise one side is worn and the other is new, and can cause the car to be squirrely.

Totally agree!

[KevinDonut]

Thanks all for the input...my car is barely 50k miles so i'm hoping replacing the damaged side will do for now.

If I feel something odd, maybe I'll do the passenger side by then.