Do I need to replace my tie rod and ball joints, and maybe brake pads?

(2010-09-29 02:10:09)

1. JeLuoo Says: I own a 1998 Audi A4 Avant 2.8, and recently at the local repair shop at Sears, they told me that I should have my ball joints, tie rod, and perhaps brake pads fixed/replace (brake pads in two months).

Are these parts very important? They told me they cannot fix it there, because I must go to the dealer, but what will happen if either of the individual parts actually breaks are loses function?

I know if I don't have brake pads, I cannot brake, but what about the ball joints and tie rod?

2. dick car guy Says: It sounds like someone has done a front end inspection and found normal wear and tear on the front end. What happens over time as your car drives down the road is vibration the bumps, pot holes and general condition of freeways and city streets give your car a good pounding, the faster you are going, the harder the impacts are transmitted through the tires. That said, it is unlikely that anything would suddenly break and cause you to lose control, so from a safety standpoint you should be just fine, dont worry about that. If your front end gets loose, you may notice that it wander sometimes on a crack in the road, or follows a bump, or for example going up hill on a heavily traveled freeway with lots of trucks, the road sometimes crowns deeper in the middle and your car may wander and weave some. IF NONE OF THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING NOW, AND YOU HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, GOOD!!!!
your car may have some wear and tear, but unless you hear lots of strang banging and hammering noises when you hit bumps and potholes for example, and the car does not catch a rut and take off to the side suddenly on its own Ifs safe enough to drive, always get another opinion from a qualified front end shop. a ball joint is a big heavy duty part that helps hold the front end together, the tie rod ends are smaller and lighter, and help your steering rotate right or left, or keep the vehicle straight depending on which direction you are holding the wheel. If you turn the steering wheel right or left, and it works fine, feels like it always did, and you are not having any problems, with a "LOOSE" feeling steering wheel, good, your front end may need some minor work, get it checked out as soon as you can, look at your front tire wear to see if it is wearing excessively on the inside, this can tell you plenty about the condition of your front end. hang in there, best of luck.