I was fixing up a 1997 Honda Civic CX D16y7 and I haven't done the tie rods before. It looks like the original parts are on it and they need to be replaced. I've been looking online and I've found a confusing variety of kits and prices and I don't know which one to get. I was going to replace the parts myself but because of upcoming surgery, I can't lift anything over 30lbs until around mid-July so I'm going to have to turn this over to a shop.
Which is the best and complete set for this particular car? I can't afford Honda parts.
Thank you for your attention.

 

For outers, I used ProForged. Mevotech is ok. But Beck/Arnley or Moog are always good picks too.

 

I used Moog tie rods this time, and Beck/Arrnley last time. Each time they last about 10 years or 100,000 miles. When ordering the part, the warranty (I think) can give a clue on longevity. The two I bought had 3 year warranties vs the really cheap parts with 30-90 day warranty

 

NAPA has some that have limited lifetime. Usually about 3 times as expensive, but worth the peace of mind. At least if it does fail, it should only cost you labour and another alignment.

 

My concern with getting the correct parts for the tie rods is that, recently, I ran into a problem in getting the correct air conditioning compressor. I first spoke with a tech at AutoZone and he ordered the wrong compressor. I should've double-checked but I didn't. I took it to PepBoys and they called me a couple of hours later informing me that it was the wrong part.
I got a refund from AutoZone and got a Factory Service Manual (FSM) for this Honda. I found and ordered the correct one from Amazon. Saved some money on the oem part.
Got the correct one installed and now I'm going to get the tie rods replaced but I don't want to go through the wrong-part(s) scenario again.
The only complete tie rod set that I've found so far online is the one from EBay (the image).



Consulting the FSM, there is no separate listing for the correct parts to be replaced, so I'll have to assume that the specified parts from EBay are the correct ones.
Are they correct? Or are more parts than the ones on the list needed?
I've also looked at online Honda parts sites and they provide only schematics of parts and do not specify which parts should be replaced.
Otherwise, it appears as if I'd have to find and order the new individual sets of parts, piece-by-piece. I've read that some parts ordered this way are either not compatible with each other (different manufacturers) or consist of additional parts that are duplicates of other parts in sets. The reason I would prefer to find the complete set of correct parts is that PepBoys was going to charge $1010.11 to order and install the compressor. Buying it myself saved me $400.00. PepBoys was going to charge me an additional $400.00 for them to JUST order the part from AutoZone.
Thank you for your attention.

 

^You're replacing a fair bit more with that kit than just the tie rods. It's not a bad idea though if they've never been serviced.

Not to thread jack, but on a similar note -

I literally just bought "MasterPro" tie rods from Oreilly's. They also had "Import Direct" and "Beck Arnley".

I still have them in the box and I need to stop by the store again tomorrow, let me know if I should swap them out for one of the other brands. I figured it most likely didn't matter too much, just OE spec auto store stuff, but now I'm wondering lol...

 

If you can spend a bit more, you can source a full set of Sankei 555 ball joints and ends from ebay. They're the OEMs for a couple of the toyota ball joints (the ones with the NOK boots) and spoon ball joints. The housings are stamped in the same place below the center and they have the same snap ring and hardware. Have had them for a couple months now and they feel exactly like new when I took the knuckle apart to replace the LCAs.

For the control arm bushings, I'd reckon you go with something that has a warranty. They don't exactly have moving parts but the rubber bushings are probably of varying quality. Easier and cheaper to get brand new arms from rockauto than it is to have bushings burned out and pressed into old arms. If you have access to a shop press, the second might be a good idea.

 

Many shops will not install parts that you supply. If a shop is installing the tie rods and doing the alignment, just have the shop source the parts and ensure that they fit.

 

For my 1997 Honda Civic CX, I've compiled a list of all the parts for replacing tie rods, front and rear wheels, from Carparts.com:

TrueDrive®
1997 Honda Civic CX - Tie Rod End - Front, Driver and Passenger Side, Inner and Outer
Part no.: KIT1-082417-49-B

TrueDrive®
Control Arm - Rear, Driver and Passenger Side, Upper
Part Number: SET-REPH281514 (set of two)

TrueDrive®
1997 Honda Civic CX 4 Cyl 1.6L - Control Arm - Rear, Driver and Passenger Side, Lower
Part no.: SET-REPH281567-2 (set of two)

My question is: I haven't seen specific bolts itemized in the Carparts.com part components, such as the "Flange bolt; 14 x 1.5mm" bolt that goes into the "Lower Arm Rubber bushing" in the (TrueDrive Part: "Tie Rod End - Front") and holds it to the chassis, does this mean that I have to provide a new one? Or is it okay to use the old one?
I haven't had this done before. The mileage was 100K+ when I got it and I'd like to hold onto this car for at least another 100K+ miles.
Thank you for your attention.