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Replacing tie rod boots

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bart1
Posts: 119

Replacing tie rod boots

Post#1 » Sun Dec 30, 2018 3:08 pm

Was under the G and noticed my tie rod boots were torn. Not an uncommon problem. Best thing is to replace both ends, but it seems like the one end is crimped on. Joints felt tight and smooth so I decided to clean them up and replace boots. Took it off completely so I could get it on the workbench for best results.

Went to auto zone and got he loaner ball joint separator and some energy suspension boots that seemed like they would fit. Used “green grease” that I had from my previous off road hobby. Sticky, thick, gooey stuff. Popped the old ones off with a scraper and screwdriver, used clean towels to wipe all the old grease away from the joint, loaded them up with green grease and popped the new boot on.

Quick job that cost me $7 and at least bought me some time. I’ll keep an eye on them at oil changes.

See attached pics for reference.
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bart1
Posts: 119

Re: Replacing tie rod boots

Post#2 » Sun Dec 30, 2018 3:22 pm

Forgot a pic
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Phil C
Posts: 365

Re: Replacing tie rod boots

Post#3 » Mon Dec 31, 2018 7:05 am

Thanks for a very useful post. Another reason I love this forum.
Happy 2019!

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Otiswesty
Posts: 9465

Re: Replacing tie rod boots

Post#4 » Fri May 24, 2019 9:10 am

Pretty sweet to get that all done for $7 plus your own time
461.213, 463.241

bart1
Posts: 119

Re: Replacing tie rod boots

Post#5 » Fri May 24, 2019 10:19 am

$7 for the boots. Rented ball joint tool and I had everything else. I certainly don't claim that's the be all end all repair for that, but I am better than I was. Seems to be holding up okay so far.

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AlanMcR
Posts: 7729

Re: Replacing tie rod boots

Post#6 » Fri May 24, 2019 10:34 am

Did you test the balls before rebooting?
The MB test is to compress the head into the ball. The compression should 2mm or less. The nice thing about this test is that it can be performed on the vehicle.
...Alan

Court
Posts: 812

Re: Replacing tie rod boots

Post#7 » Fri May 24, 2019 10:36 am

Wow. Maybe I should do this!! Instead of re & re?

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AlanMcR
Posts: 7729

Re: Replacing tie rod boots

Post#8 » Fri May 24, 2019 12:00 pm

Torn boots also require replacement, even if you just replace the boots themselves.
...Alan

bart1
Posts: 119

Re: Replacing tie rod boots

Post#9 » Fri May 24, 2019 12:20 pm

I didn't know about that test. I cleaned them as good as I could, they felt good and tight and smooth, and then put in that super sticky green grease. How much force?

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AlanMcR
Posts: 7729

Re: Replacing tie rod boots

Post#10 » Fri May 24, 2019 1:10 pm

Quite a bit. There is a spring in there and even new ones will move inwards. Wear increases the amount of movement. See the attached PDF.
Attachments
Ball_Joints.pdf
(606.74 KiB) Downloaded 67 times
...Alan

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