inner tie rod boots

[sgull]

I noticed a small tear in both of the inner tie rod boots on my 98 Ranger. I'm wondering how involved it will be replace these. Probably disassemble/reassemble almost just as I'd be doing if were to replace the inner tie rods? How about the big clamp, will I need a special tool for that? Also, perhaps a suggestion on a good source where I can get these boots and the proper new clamps if I need them (other than a dealer)? thanks

 

[Earl43P]

Those boots aren't very hard to replace, but the OTR ends have to come off to do so.
That usually means getting an alignment afterward, but if you mark the OTRs and count the turns, you might not have to (I would/did).

Note that those boots return leaked fluid to the reservoir.
Note that this means that Ford knows that the rack seals do leak and compensated for that by putting small return ports at the bottom of the boot.

When replacing the boot, it is important that you get the boot to seal at that low point port.

I had no issues with the replacement clamp band. It's basically a plastic zip tie that you install and it comes with the new boot(s). If I remember right, RockAuto sold me the boots for about $25 each.

 

[sgull]

Note that those boots return leaked fluid to the reservoir. Note that this means that Ford knows that the rack seals do leak and compensated for that by putting small return ports at the bottom of the boot. When replacing the boot, it is important that you get the boot to seal at that low point port.

Okay thanks Earl43P for the helpful reply.
Here's pictures of the two rips I'm talking about. First picture is a small hole type rip, not very big but nonetheless is a definite hole through the rubber there. The second picture is the other boot where the rubber is torn away all the way around that end of where the small boot clamp is.





So you say there's actually some "return ports" at the bottom of these boot(s)? I can hardly imagine these such ports as you mention. At the bottom of the boot? At the low end of the boot, in the vicinity of where my rips are as pictured?

 

[Earl43P]

Go to RockAuto.com

Either drill down in Steering for your year to Rack and Pinion Bellow or do a search on Moog part number "K8834".

You'll see them. Cheaper than I recall them being too!

 

[sgull]

Go to RockAuto.com Either drill down in Steering for your year to Rack and Pinion Bellow or do a search on Moog part number "K8834". You'll see them. Cheaper than I recall them being too!

Great. Thanks!