Rib cage. RIB CAGE ANATOMY. The rib cage, shaped in a mild cone shape and more flexible than most bone sets, is made up of varying elements such as the thoracic vertebra, 12 equally paired ribs, costal cartilage, and held together anteriorly by the sternum.
1 On average, to replace both tie rods, the professional job can range anywhere from $150 to as much as $475. 2  If only one tie rod has to be replaced, you can often cut this price in half. 3  For those that want to complete the job themselves, the cost of parts can vary anywhere from $30 to as much as $120 per rod.
Caremust be used in checking tie rods for wear. Many good tie rods are needlessly replaced, sometimes with inferior aftermarket parts. The old method of squeezing the joint with a pair of pliers should never be used. This can damage the spring and quickly ruin a good tie rod.