Just took my 2013 Honda Odyssey to Firestone to have snow tires mounted and alignment checked. I knew I was in for trouble when the service writer said “so we are just installed new tires” and when I said, “no, the tires are in the back of the van” she responded with “you know what I mean”
Then they called and reported that the alignment could be completed because the tie rod ends were rusted tight. I was quoted $1157.16 to replace inner and outer tie rods on both sides. They claim its 5.5 hours labor and quoted me parts prices above dealer prices.
And apparently I need a “camber/toe adjusting kit” for just one side on the back. I assume that is an adjusting bolt that costs about $10. They are charging $206 for the part and $118.40 in labor to remove and replace the control arm.
When I asked what their labor rate was they told me they thought it was $165/hr!
I have used Firestone for a long time because I used to be on the road a lot and it was always handy to be able to pull into someplace 500 miles from home that had the records of what has been done - including warranties. I never had them do anything other tires and alignment and sometimes an oil change. Not anymore.
If I look at the book labor to do the front end and Honda parts, it should not cost more than $500 (before shop fees, etc). If I buy after market parts (Moog) and use a $125/hr labor rate it should be closer to $300.
I am pretty sure the labor they came up with was to replace the entire steering rack! Dopes.
We have used Moog Lower Control Arm (LCA) on an Odyssey. It worked well, but I only used Moog since the OEM LCAs were so expensive. The OEM outer tie rod and the inner connected rod are pretty cheap so I would go with the OEM if you can. I think they are like $50 and $80, respectively.
At 10 years old, I do not think that you need any of the tie-rod replaced. If it is so rusted for real, then just replace the inner ball joint that connects to the outer tie rod.
The job is pretty easy, but you need the tie rod tool, which is cheap on Amazon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DcAtFNEdxo
We used the Specialty Product Company to change the rear camber on the Odyssey. I think yours is SPC 67590 and they are $110 on Amazon. Make sure that you put lots of anti-seize on the bare thread to keep the bare thread on the SPC from rusting or else you will have to replace it again the next time that a shop needs to adjust the rear camber. I heard that the ball joint on the SPC is not as good as the OEM that is on the Odyssey, but I have not had any issue. Did the shop do an alignment and saw that the rear camber was off, then asked for you to install the adjustable rear arm?