Mine has a rip in it, and I need to replace it. The front drivers side. Has anyone had to replace it? There's a fluid coming out of it. Not alot, but it's there. Couple questions I have.

What fluid is it that's actually coming out of it?

If you've done it, how? My car's in the shop right now getting something else done, so I can't go look at it. But any help would be appreciated.

Anyone have one laying around? Long shot I know.

Thanks in advance!!

 

Bump! Anybody with insight?

I hope I'm talking about the right thing. If you take the wheel off, theres a plastic "accordion" looking boot. Someone correct me if I'm wrong with the name. It's what the Haynes manual called it.

 

Its a inner tie rod boot. Its leaking grease. The part should be 35 dollars or less.

Take the wheel off. Loosen the outter tie rod locking nut at the back of the tie rod. Take the nut off the outter tie rot at the knuckle. Pull the outter tie rod out of the knuckle. (you may need a hammer for this. Hit the knuckle a couple times. then hit the exposed stud up and out. Be careful not to damage the threads). Unthread the tie rod and locking nut completly off the steering gear. (Count the amount of revolutions it takes the tie rod to come off!) Take the outter (smaller) clamp off the tie rod boot. Next take the inner (larger) clamp off the tie rod boot. You will need to strech and pry the clamp to remove it. Then slide the boot off. Slide the new boot on, with new grease packed in. Install the inner clamp. You will most likely need a special tool to tighten the clamp. You can buy it at at any auto parts store. Install the inner clamp. Install the tie rod locking nut. Install the tie rod with the same amount of revolutions you took it off with. Install the tie rod into the knuckle. Install the tie rod ball joint nut. Tighten the locking nut. And install the tire. You will need an alignment after this.

 

...holy ******* *****...

 

its not simple... but its not hard either.. but it may be worth letting a shop do... i know i need a whole passenger side tie rod, and i was quoted 180 for a brand new rod with both ends installed and full 4 wheel allignment

 

Thats really cheap. We charge 118 for a four wheel alignment alone.

 

I guess I'll call around on Tuesday Cause I know I don't feel like doing all of that.

 

Question though, as I know nothing about this

Whats the downside to driving around with a hole in the boot? There is grease buildup, but it was rigged with with silicone, and it held it for some time. So i'm not sure how much grease has been discharged.

 

i use to work at the shop and the owners are family friends lol... though it sounds about right for his shop... so i may or may not have been getting a deal from him...

i honestly have no idea how bad it could get... it could not do anything for a long time... or it could lock your steering and cause a fiery crash... same with oil... i have seen cars go 25k miles between changes on regular 10w30... and i have seen the same model come in witha seized engine cuz the oil had 4k miles on it... the point is... do you wanna risk it? can you afford to risk it?

 

I'm getting it fixed as soon as i can. just wonder casue I have to work all week, and won't be able to do anything till Thursday.

 

Dirt and grime get into your inner tie rod joint, all the grease could leak out. And your inner tie rod joint could seize or break. This could cause damage to your steering gear, which would be big money.