Froze tie rod so can't align???

Hey everyone, I went to a reputable shop today to get an alignment. After about a half hour they said that one , or multiple tie rods were froze and couldn't be adjusted. They said that I should replace 2 inner and 2 outer tie rods. ( I told them I would have to think about it)
Is this common?
I attached a pic of one. - I'm sure the others look similar.
They said they tried heating it and couldn't get it to turn.
The more I think about it I feel like the guy didn't have a big enough breaker bar or big enough balls!
Its this BS or can they get froze --- there not even rusty!!
I appreciate the help!! I don't want to fix shit that's good, and definitely not trying to get played!!

 

I think this is fairly common in any areas prone to rust. It looks to me like the tech could not get the inner to spin inside the jam nut. The outer end with the big flats and the jam nut you can put some mustard in pretty easy, but the inner where it looks like all the teeth marks are right next to the boot, is pretty hard to get a hold of so I would not hold it against the tech. If you don't want to replace it, try a few heavy shots of some kind of penetrating oil over a couple days on that jam nut to see if it frees up. You can try in your driveway to see if you can get them to move, just mark where it starts so you can put it back, then go back and have them align it once it is free.

Also, not sure if it was the same alignment tech, but something got into those threads and marred them up a bit but it doesn't look like the end of the world.

 

Thanks for the reply! I see the teeth marks next to the boot. - that's what I need to turn? I feel like there should be some kind kind of tool to get a good bite instead of leaving teeth marks on it like a pair of channel locks!!.
I do all my brakes, fluids and overall matience myself but usually leave the suspension stuff for the shop

 

I'm going to look again for tool marks but it doesn't look like something like this was used.
I get to the bottom of this shit, just trying to wrap my head around this... Thanks for the time and info

 

Threads look flattened.

 

That is my guess. To get the toe adjustment you need 2 things, 1. the threaded portion to spin inside of the outer tie rod end this is fairly easy with the big flats and the jamb nut, and 2. you need the jamb nut to spin on the threaded section. With the jamb nut spun towards the center of the truck, you grab the inner tie rod where the marks are and the threaded rod will pull the tires in or push them out then the jamb nut is spun down tight to the outer end to prevent the alignment from changing. If you can't get the nut to spin you won't be able to change the angle of the tires relative to each other.

 

That's poor man's loctite.

 

Thought that was what cross threading was for

 

That's Pauly Shore poor right there

 

Use the red. You'll have generations of wrench twisters cussing you.

 

If that was mine here's what I gather up. Propane torch, wet rags, tin foil, your favorite rusty nut lube and two good sized hammers. Use one mini sledge to place behind the cantankerous hunk giving you fits while you whack it with the other. Wet rag and foil wrap things that you don't want destroyed by the heat. Optional bandaids and fire putter outer.

 

If someone banged those threads to keep it tight sounds like some real dumb shit to me... just saying...
I don't think that's my problem tho - breaking that nut loose looks easy- the tool marks toward the boot looks like someone couldn't get a bite on it

 

And it goes into the pinion on the other end right? Don't u have to be careful so u don't f that up?
I don't know, I do all the work I can but leave some of the harder stuff for the shop.
Just looks like it can be done and not trying to get ripped off.
The shop wants 350 to change out the 4 tie rods and alignment, and then oem ( toyota parts) are gonna be like 500.
My truck is mint and not trying to fix stuff cause the kid ain't got the mustard or right tools

 

They probably banged them up trying to get it loose. A good file will clean that right up.

I joked about the poor man's loctite because my CAT protection system used exhaust clamps and I beat the daylights out of the threads to prevent the nuts from being easily and quietly removed.

 

Got everything broke loose!! Now do I take it back to same shop or find another? The're supposed to do good alignments ( mr.bees alignment, cape coral FL) but now skeptical. Maybe Firestone or tire kingdom would do better.. How hard is it to get a fn alignment!!!

 

Anyway, thanks for the help guys! Had to figure how them parts work!!

 

@Mr.bee you have an alignment shop?!

 

Those threads have rust on them so unless OP had the shop mess with it and then wait for rust to develop before taking the picture.... that wasn't from the shop. Either way, glad that you got it loose and I would go to a different shop..... just don't go with them loose!

 

i have a tape measure and angle finder. So yea. What about it?