Inner and outer Mazda5 tie rod replacement (smiley)

[IamFODI]

Am I right that this is an easy job? Haven't seen any 5-specific DIYs yet but it looks super simple to me – like 1 hour tops for a half-decent shop to replace both sides. But I just had a shop estimate 4.5 hours ($989.78 in labor alone!) for this job. I know book time is almost always an overestimate but this seems nuts to me. What am I missing?

 

[Silentnoise713]

Wow. I'm in the wrong business... It is easy as cake and a standard job. If you want to make the outer rod job easier, I suggest using the free loaner ball joint forks. Insert two into the ball joint at opposite ends and a simple press will separate them without any effort. I haven't replace the inner rod (too lazy, don't' think I need too and got them prematurely) but should be the same as Mz3.

https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loaner-ball-joint-separator/p/powerbuilt-tie-rod-end-separator-set/449957_0_0

Former 2ng gen owner with vid on axle, tie rod, and some other helpful topics.

https://www.youtube.com/user/sigor2011/videos

 

[IamFODI]

Wow. I'm in the wrong business... It is easy as cake and a standard job. If you want to make the outer rod job easier, I suggest using the free loaner ball joint forks. Insert two into the ball joint at opposite ends and a simple press will separate them without any effort. I haven't replace the inner rod (too lazy, don't' think I need too and got them prematurely) but should be the same as Mz3.

https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loaner-ball-joint-separator/p/powerbuilt-tie-rod-end-separator-set/449957_0_0

Former 2ng gen owner with vid on axle, tie rod, and some other helpful topics.

https://www.youtube.com/user/sigor2011/videos

Thanks, @Silentnoise713 !

 

[IamFODI]

Yep, easy job. Thanks again!