Alignment, tie rod, new tires, strange mechanic

[Body File]

Hey All,

I'm looking for some advice from the people who have dealt with anything similar.

I need an alignment done, and new tires. I went to the local shop up here in Cold Lake, AB and they said that I have a loose
inner right tie rod and that my steering rack is a little sloppy.
I am about to move from here to Comox, BC on the island. thats 1500k of driving!
The tires and alignment are a really good deal (alberta prices and alberta tax)
My question is, Should I get this shop that has zero experience with delicas to replace my tie rod then do the tire swap and alignment? Or should I wait until I get to a delica friendly shop in BC? Or should I just get them to do the tires and alignment, drive the 1500k and get a delica friendly shop to diagnose and replace any problems in my front end?

I lean towards getting someone I trust (Butch) to do the work, but this shop has a deal in place with the Military that I get 0% financing on all work done, thats much better then credit card rates!

What do you think?

[Meanman]

Tie rod end isn't or shouldn't be a big expenditure and should be easily recognizable...get it done, and get your tires. I'd wait on the steering rack. Out here an alignment is under $100 so not worth financing.
Military...in Cold LAke....Are you there for head space and timing? or are you actually Air Force? HAHA!

[Jensen]

A tie rod is a tie rod, the design is pretty much the same on every vehicle on the planet, anybody can fix these they don't have to be a Delica experienced mechanic (or, heck, try fixing it yourself it's not that hard and you'll save some money. Get an alignment after you're done though and change your boots while you're at it!)

[Body File]

Hey hey, Be nice now.
I happen to be in the Air Force, working on fighter jets.

BUT, just got my transfer to Comox so its back to BC finally.

Ive got my shop here to order a tie rod from CVI and he's (as always) been an excellent help!

-Dave

[Jensen]

sorry I meant to sound "empowering" not mean.

[Meanman]

I think he was referring to my "head space and timing" comment. Its a military thing!!

James
2PPCLI (retired)

[RichD]

Comox to CC Auto

[Body File]

Im excited to check out CC Auto in Combs! Whenever I've had a problem they've offered sane and helpful suggestions, plus all ive heard is positive feedback from their customers :)
It'll be quite nice to be within an hour of a Deli shop in stead of 1500k!

[jelbon]

Head space and timing as well as the dance at Rainbow Junction. Ex 2, 3 PPCLI.

[bikepoor]

It's easy mechanics, and an alignment done by a computer! Tire mounting is the same for anything. If the price is right, do it, it will save wear on the tires, stress from wondering if you should have done it, and best of all, the bus will be safe to drive in the mountains, (ie; no wandering around on the road, no tired arms from always trying to stop it from turning right into the ditch, and no constant 9 to 3 sawing on the steering wheel to stay straight. And if it snows in the pass you have new tires to go around the clowns with the summer poor-formance tires on their pretty little Euro sports sedans.) An old add from a motorcycle company i dealt with was "The best you know, is the best you've driven."
You might be on the edge and just not know it!