Frozen (seized) tie rods - 2011 X5

[Acinomer]

My front tie rods are frozen and the dealer is saying that they're not covered under warranty. Any body here have luck getting those replaced in-warranty?

They're wanting $500 (parts and labor) to replace. Then another $115 for an alignment. I failed to ask if that's for the entire tie rod or just the outers. I'd assume the entire deal since it's frozen, but I don't know.

[ard]

Tell them you want to meet with the BMW regional rep.

BMW should ensure that a BMW will perform in te geographic area in which it is sold. There is nothing about north carolina that odd or unusual. This should be covered under the 4/50k warranty.

Ive never heard of these seizing under the 4/50 warranty. yes up in Maine and manitoba after 8 years.

Both tie rod ends are frozen?

Really, Id say 'no' and take it to a different shop for a second opinion. FIRST I would ask to look at them BEFORE you pick the car up. Any damage, pitch a fit- insist that "you stripped it you replace it". If it was seized, they should soak it in penetrating liquid and/or heat.

I just replaced my front suspension on another BMW and it is pretty easy. 45minutes max for both sides, plus alignment. Oh, you really should SPECIFY what alignment numbers you want- dont just assume BMW will set it to the BEST settings.

[Acinomer]

ard - yes, both are frozen. I've had the car for about 8 months. The previous owner spent a couple years in NJ where I think he bought it. If push comes to shove and they don't cover it under warranty, I've been considering doing the job myself which seems relatively simple (then going straight to the alignment shop for the finishing touches). Good idea about going to another dealer. I like the leverage in that move... "Hey, don't cover it and I'll take all my future business down the street".

Thanks to your long history of great alignment advice, I have requested the following specs when I thought they would be covering everything under warranty.

Front camber: N/A
Front toe: positive 0 deg 02 minutes

Rear camber: minus 1 deg 15 minutes
Rear toe: positive 0 deg 01 minutes

[Jyohay]

did you go to a dealer for an alignment and this is how you found out?
its a scam, i have heard of this plenty of times.
they just want to get as much money out of you as they can.
go to an alignment shop, they will have no problem getting them loose.

[Acinomer]

Originally Posted by Jyohay

did you go to a dealer for an alignment and this is how you found out?
its a scam, i have heard of this plenty of times.
they just want to get as much money out of you as they can.
go to an alignment shop, they will have no problem getting them loose.

I went to an indy shop initially and they were the ones that pointed it out. They did what they could to loosen them short of using a torch (said they didn't want to damage the structural integrity), but to no avail.

I'm planning to chat with the dealer shortly and am going to push back on the warranty denial.