When you run across a broken inner tie rod boot, how do you decide whether to replace the tie rod and boot or both?

 

I do both on my own, but being a friends car I don't want to spend their money if no need. I'm wondering if there's anything to look for because i've never really heard of Subaru tie rods failing, so maybe replacing them everytime is over kill?

The repair on these is kind of like the repair (or replacement) for a blown axle boot.

 

If the boot is trashed (but the joint is ok) I change just the boot.

 

On the other hand... sometimes its obvious that LOTS of crap has gotten in there (or the joint is on the way out anyway) In that case, change the boot and joint.

 

Other people (mechanics also) say there wont ever be a better time to change the joint.... and do em all at once.

 

I dont always see the need.

thanks BWB - i bought the part since i can always return it. i'll just make a call based on what i see when I remove the boot. Much dirt/rust and I'll replace it.

 

If it looks fine - what kind of grease should I put in there if I only reboot it?

Since 50% of the work is going to be getting the tie rod end off the steering knuckle, I would replace the tie rod end. It is hard to tell if they are worn out or seized sometimes, since a new one can be very very stiff. If it is at all loose replace it. At leats you have a new one to compare it to.

As an WHY get yourself a tie rod end boot too, just in case. I tore mine getting my tie rod end off.

 

 

Luckily I had a universal boot around.

 

nipper

Since 50% of the work is going to be getting the tie rod end off the steering knuckle, I would replace the tie rod end. It is hard to tell if they are worn out or seized sometimes, since a new one can be very very stiff. If it is at all loose replace it. At leats you have a new one to compare it to.

As an WHY get yourself a tie rod end boot too, just in case. I tore mine getting my tie rod end off.

 

 

Luckily I had a universal boot around.

 

nipper

 

For the first time I recently used one of these:

 

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=99849

 

Worked pretty sweet.

 

Dave

oo i need to get me one of those.

 

 

 

nipper

oo i need to get me one of those.

 

 

 

nipper

 

I bought it for undoing the tie rod end and removing the ball-joint from the lower control arm on my wheel-bearing job.

 

No messing with the pinch bolt that way, too.

 

Dave

i went and replaced the tie rod, was already in there like nipper said, no point in cheaping out on an important part like that.

 

what is that tool for?

 

i ended up replacing this tie rod without removing anything, i thought that was bizarre. probably a bad a idea.

i went and replaced the tie rod, was already in there like nipper said, no point in cheaping out on an important part like that.

 

what is that tool for?

 

i ended up replacing this tie rod without removing anything, i thought that was bizarre. probably a bad a idea.

 

There is ALWAYS someone who has to be difficult.

 

i guess you could do it without popping off the outer tie rod end.

 

nipper

i guess you could do it without popping off the outer tie rod end.

i sprayed the tie rod end nut and pin, but when i tried to get the pin out i realized it's perma-welded into the nut. i started thinking it'll need to be drilled . so i figured i'd try spinning off the inner tie rod without removing the outer. it worked. don't know if i'll be able to get it back together though, i'll try later.

i went and replaced the tie rod, was already in there like nipper said, no point in cheaping out on an important part like that.

 

what is that tool for?

 

i ended up replacing this tie rod without removing anything, i thought that was bizarre. probably a bad a idea.

 

Yeah, you don't really need to remove much to do an inner.

 

That tool goes around a tie-rod end (outer) or ball joint (non-pinch type, or on subies the control arm end bolt of the ball joint) and pushes the tapered end free without munging the boot with a pickle-fork.

 

 

Dave

Edited June 12, 200916 yr by CNY_Dave

i sprayed the tie rod end nut and pin, but when i tried to get the pin out i realized it's perma-welded into the nut. i started thinking it'll need to be drilled . so i figured i'd try spinning off the inner tie rod without removing the outer. it worked. don't know if i'll be able to get it back together though, i'll try later.

 

That damn outer tie-rod end cotter pin cost me 30-40 minutes and 2 broken punches when I did my wheel bearing!

 

I did the same thing- just removed the nut after removing as much pin as possible.

 

I blame subaru for having a wide lead-in to the hole that then narrows down.

I thought I'd have to take it off and put it in the drill press, but I had an extra set of hands to hold it while I teased it out with a punch (eventually).

 

Dave