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Unless there is a way that I am not aware of to get the new boot on the tie-rod, which is totally possible, it's not worth the time. I think a boot is like $15 and a tie-rod end is like $60. I couldn't get the stupid boot on and I ripped it. Cost me $75 instead.
LMK if I'm dumb and there's an easy way to get the boot on. It was a side project and I was frustrated so I failed.
Do you have a part number for those boots? I need to try this as well.
P.S. I presume your ride height had nothing to do with your tie rod boots ripping if you're an inch or less lower than stock.
I installed the tie rod boots today. Easy-peasy. Total time for both sides was about 90 minutes including jacking and cleanup.
The 32mm 12-point socket is a perfect fit. And the Maddox ball joint/bushing tool from Harbor Freight worked a treat. It didn't take much force to put the boots on, and I almost got them on by hand tightening the tool.
The old boots came off with a small flat-head screwdriver, I packed the joints and new boots with Lucas Oil Red 'n Tacky which was already in my grease gun.
I also replaced the nuts and cotter pins. The nuts are not castle nuts like I thought I remembered, and probably don't need to be replaced. 40 ft-lbs is the torque spec.
You got a little too much grease in there though, from the look of the boot.
What is the effect of too much grease in the boot? When I test drove it, the steering felt like it wanted to hang up in the last position turned rather than return to center. Is it possible the ball joint is not moving freely and causing this?
This is a track car and I only have about 5° of caster. I could be just imagining things.
What is the effect of too much grease in the boot? When I test drove it, the steering felt like it wanted to hang up in the last position turned rather than return to center. Is it possible the ball joint is not moving freely and causing this?
This is a track car and I only have about 5° of caster. I could be just imagining things.
The grease will probably just ooze out of the boot and make a mess. In rare cases, the boot can rupture.
Gotcha. I don't normally drive it on the street so I was probably just noticing the effect of low caster and high camber combined with road crowning and pavement grooves.
