has anyone here replaced outer Tie Rods or Idler Arm?

[k0yla]

How complicated is it to change the Tie Rod endings? Can a person with normal set of tools do it? the dealership wants to charge $130 for the labor alone, they don't look too complicated so i figured i'd ask before investing in the dealership.
Also, how hard is it to replace the Idler Arm? I also need that replaced, and I am quoted about $200 for that from the dealership.

[CateraMV6]

Well they are not the easiest thing to change but they will require some effort on your side and there is a good chance that after you put the new stuff on the alignment will be out of shot so you will have to do that again... But it will most certainly take a few hours of your time. i had an issue where the ball joint wouldnt come out and I had to pound on it but o i was able to get them out. The problem is the parts none of the local stores have em so you will have to go to the dealer and you know how they charge... parts alone should be something like 150$... if you get lucky.

[k0yla]

Originally Posted by CateraMV6

Well they are not the easiest thing to change but they will require some effort on your side and there is a good chance that after you put the new stuff on the alignment will be out of shot so you will have to do that again... But it will most certainly take a few hours of your time. i had an issue where the ball joint wouldnt come out and I had to pound on it but o i was able to get them out. The problem is the parts none of the local stores have em so you will have to go to the dealer and you know how they charge... parts alone should be something like 150$... if you get lucky.

haha, you're right.
I am ordering the parts off Ebay, for both sides it's costing about $140 US, which is hell a lot cheaper than dealership that wants to charge $600 for the parts alone.
quick question, since you have done the replacement, were the tie-rods for year 2000+ revised at all or redesigned? reason why I ask is that I know a person that is selling the tie-rods that will fit 97-2001 (German made). And the part looks similar to the one from GM. However, looking at the pictures of tie-rods of 97-99 from GM's dealer, the part looks very different from 2000+.
I have a 2000 Catera.

[Resilient]

Another place to check:
http://www.cadillac-parts-dealer.com/parts.htm

Inner Tie rods are listed to fit 97-01 but outer tie rods listed for 00-01...

[k0yla]

Originally Posted by Resilient

Another place to check:
http://www.cadillac-parts-dealer.com/parts.htm

Inner Tie rods are listed to fit 97-01 but outer tie rods listed for 00-01...

what sub-category would tie rods fall under? i cannot locate the part under brake/wheel-hub.

[CateraMV6]

I know they are different but I couldn't really compare them cuz I got the ones for the 00-01 parts and they worked just fine.

BTW the category is under steering and linkages and then outer tie rod end.

[k0yla]

Originally Posted by CateraMV6

I know they are different but I couldn't really compare them cuz I got the ones for the 00-01 parts and they worked just fine.

BTW the category is under steering and linkages and then outer tie rod end.

thanks!
what year is your's?

[CateraMV6]

I have a 2001 Catera Sport (Platinum), all options except the power rear sun shade... and heated rear seats...

[k0yla]

Originally Posted by CateraMV6

I have a 2001 Catera Sport (Platinum), all options except the power rear sun shade... and heated rear seats...

nice.
i wholeheartedly regret not buying the sport version, even though it was being sold for the same price at the time. the non-sport version had lower milage, so i figured i should stick with that for lesser issues.

[CateraMV6]

I got it when it had 59K on the clock and as of today some 8months later it has over 76K so i am not afraid of driving it.

Now I guess I have to replace the idler arm and the tie rod end on the driver side because they are loose and i can tell some shutter and play in the steering. So once I do that I will post some more pictures for you guys to see how its done.