Tie rod end boots are toast...replace with poly?

[magnetnerd]

Hey,

This might be an incredibly dense question, but here goes anyway:

One of my tie rod end boots has ruptured, but I don't think the inner/outer tie rods actually need replacing.

1. How do I know if my tie rods need to be replaced? And, are the inner and outer tie rods typically replaced at the same time, or would it be acceptable to replace just the outer tie rods?

2. I'm looking at these (http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9.13101) instead of replacing the tie rods. Thoughts? It almost seems too good to be true that a $4 part can keep me from having to spend a couple hundred on tie rods.

3. The boot under my pitman arm is also ruptured; instead of replacing the pitman arm (some come with a boot and some without), could I get a universal poly boot from energy that would serve the same purpose?

Hopefully that wasn't too dumb.

 

[adsm08]

Tie rods are checked by jacking up the front and feeling for play by wiggling the wheel in and out.

They don't not need to be replaced as a set and are usually done one at a time.

And yes, a $4 boot could save your tie rod end.

 

[magnetnerd]

Thanks for the quick reply!

I'll check out the tie rods, but I'm hoping I can get away with the $4 fix.

 

[Tedybear]

Thanks for the quick reply!

I'll check out the tie rods, but I'm hoping I can get away with the $4 fix.

Back in the day, Tie Rod ends just had a rubber "Rain Coat" or looked like an rubber umbrella. The trick was just to ensure they where kept fully greased on a regular basis, and wiping off the 'spillage'

In all reality? Most of these breakage issues with the new(er) style is caused by some shops using the grease gun and not PAYING attention! You're only supposed to be adding new grease until you just see the rubber 'flex' slightly! Any more and it can burst it open like a grease filled 'zit'.

Do the $4.00 fix if the ends are in good shape. I'd grease it before hand to flush out any grit and water and then change it out.

S-

 

[adsm08]

In all reality? Most of these breakage issues with the new(er) style is caused by some shops using the grease gun and not PAYING attention! You're only supposed to be adding new grease until you just see the rubber 'flex' slightly! Any more and it can burst it open like a grease filled 'zit'.

This, or being stupid about it like I did once or twice and greasing them until the rubber just flexes and THEN putting them in the knuckle. That will be the same effect.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've heard about but never tried a quick fix...using a piece of hose of the right diameter and length.

Richard

 

[Scrambler82]

make sure the new boots are the correct one for your tie rods.
When you put the new poly boot on it is designed to create a tight seal at the larger end BUT it is only held there but its on structure, in other words too much pressure and the grease will come out and dirt and water may get in so do it right, as stated above not too much and clean’um up.