I have a question about tie rod installations.

Ive read alot of posts about counting threads to get the length, but wouldn't it be better to thread the tie rod ends until the tie rod is shortest. then install in car and adjust outwards from there?

I ask because the last time I did this, I replaced my tie rods with units from some I bought online, counted the threads and took it in for an alignment. the guy couldn't align it properly because he ran out of thread while adjusting it on one side. what ended up happening was the tie rod needed to be removed and readjusted so both threads were even length in order to adjust properly.

But I need new tie rods again because these were crappy, went to the dealer this time for new tie rods and was wondering if this approach was a better idea?

Just keep it in the middle so you have the most room to work with for adjustment.

You can do a basic alignment yourself using an extra pair of hands and a measuring tape. Just measure the rear of the front wheels, then the front of the front wheels and make sure the rear's length is greater than the front so you have a slight toe in. The alignment shop will do the rest, but it will get your there without causing major wear.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Why don't you just lay the new ones next to the old ones and match them up as close as you can? That should put in the ballpark.

thats what I did the last time I tried to replace my tie rods and i ended up making the threads lengths uneven and couldnt be adjusted properly anymore.

When the tie rod assemblies are adjusted for alignment, there is one end that has a right hand thread and one that has a left hand thread. Both the left and right hand threaded ends should be turned on the same number of turns. Adjust them so that they are about the same length as the assembly being replaced and then take it to get an alignment.

Another thought: as easy as these are to replace, just take the new parts to the alignment shop and have them install them when they do the alignment. It should be a minimal additional cost.

I don't quite buy the story that the guy couldn't adjust them. No matter how off they are they should be able to fix it.

Anyway, you can also sight down the rim from the front and judge the alighment very accurately (if your eyes are decent). Toe-in can be done DIY if you take your time and know how to measure it. But you can definitely get it close. Yeah, I always just make them the same as the old ones. And you can also measure with a tape before you take it apart, from rim edge to rim edge inside.

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

What the guy was saying is: "To correct it, I would need to do more work by popping the joint out, removing it entirely, adjusting it, then putting it back on...." I won't do it because I am lazy, or won't do it for free.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

what is the difference between the left and right tie rod assemblies? I have them both next to me and the only difference I see is the part number, 201 330 1503 vs 201 330 1603.

Look at the angle of the threads (righty-tighty, lefty-tighty) that is all I can guess.

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

both of them adjust exactly the same way.