Boot on Tie-Rod End

[NCSUDockhand]

I just noticed last night that the boot on my tie rod end has a pretty big hole in it and is leaking grease everywhere. My question: Is there any sort of boot that you can buy to put around an existing one? I don't have the time or tools to remove the tie rod end in my apartment parking lot and I'm looking for a temporary quick fix. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[IAmTodd]

I just noticed last night that the boot on my tie rod end has a pretty big hole in it and is leaking grease everywhere. My question: Is there any sort of boot that you can buy to put around an existing one? I don't have the time or tools to remove the tie rod end in my apartment parking lot and I'm looking for a temporary quick fix. Any suggestions? Thanks.

I have the same problem. I think the rack is shot and as soon as I get the money, I'm having someone replace it. But if there is an alternative, LET ME KNOW!!!

 

[95xploder]

Hmm, the quick fix....Do nothing. You could just pump some fresh grease in there every now and then, but you're not in any immediate danger.

I served in the Army for 9 years and worked with humvee's and bradelys. If I had a dollar for every blown boot over the years that we waited 6 months or more to repair, I'd be a rich man.

 

[lonestar]

NAPA sells some replacement boots for a fix. They are not as good as the factory ones that have a steel ring in them and are pressed on around the tie-rod end, but they work. Basically you remove the tie-rod nut, knock the tie rod out, pry off the old boot and slip on a the new boot and reinstall. I put one of these on one of mine about 6 months ago. $3 sure beats buying the entire tie rod assembly.

 

[jimbo74]

$3 is cheaper, but with that much amount of work, replacing hte whole assembly isnt that much more.... also you dont know if the inside is contaminated or not... for me, i just wouldnt take the chance.... my outer right tierod was really shot and the boot was fine... the steel collar holding in the actuall ball end was cracked clear through and made the vehicle handle very poorly and also mess with the alignment and tire wear in a very short amount of time

 

[lonestar]

$3 is cheaper, but with that much amount of work, replacing hte whole assembly isnt that much more

Thats true, fortunately I cought mine early, it was still full of clean grease, I wouldn't have even noticed it if I hadn't been changing the gearbox, I might have even damaged it removing it. The entire assembly was like $80.

 

[jimbo74]

entire asembly was like $80? i got my out tie rod end for like $25

 

[lonestar]

where at. I asked around and nobody sold just the tie-rod end. I was going to try to press a new one in if I could find one.

 

[Hartman]

Any auto parts store sells outer tie rod ends.

 

[lonestar]

Not the press in kind. Maybe I'm confused. Actually I think the tie rod-end I needed was the one in the drag link where it attached to the tie-rod. This ball-joint was identical to the ball joints in the tie-rods, so I was hoping to be able to just press a new ball joint in, but you had to buy the entire drag link assembly. You may be able to buy the outer-tie rod assembly from the turn-buckle out. I'm not sure if 4x4 makes a diff.

 

[IAmTodd]

We're talking about two different steering systems. Might be some difference in them

 

[lonestar]

That's what I was thinking when you mentioned rack.

 

[IAmTodd]

Yea, IFS has Rack and Pinion, TTB has reticulating ball?

 

[Ford_Racing_Guy]

correct!

 

[KPT]

You're welcome to come to my house if you need tools and a spot to change the tie rod end.

 

[NCSUDockhand]

Thanks JL. It's crunch time here at school for the next 3 weeks. For now, I'm just making sure there is fresh grease in there. If I need to replace it later in the summer, I may be looking you up.