Bellows boot split

[alexander]

My '96 Q was recently check and they found a 'bellows boot on steering rack' split open.Does this require quit attention? Since i don't have a clue what's this is all about, should they perform other checks while they are doing that repair?

[maxnix]

Dirt and water is the enemy of long life. Replace now and they should inspect everything underneath if they are competent.

[tfvesquire]

Hi There:

Depending on the climate and driving conditions where you are at, it could be an urgent repair. The bellows/boots that cover the steering rack inner arms protect the arms and rack seals from moisture and dirt. If they are torn, you will get crap in there which could lead to corrosion on the inner tie rod arms and most importantly, the seals. if the seals start to leak, you will be looking at $300-$400 just for the rack and then the labor to install it. Not a fun project.

For under $40.00 you can get a set of steering rack boots that can be installed without removing the entire inner and outer tie rods. They usually come with a plastic funnel-like cap that fits over the outer rod so you can slip the boot over it without tearing the boot. Once you have the boots completely off, inspect the inner rods for play and note any power steering fluid present. I may have two replacement steering rack boot kits in my garage. They are made by Snap-On and very good quality. I will check and let you know if you are interested in purchasing them.

Good luck.

Ted, Chicago

[Q451990]

The OEM ones are about $20 from IOS. Click here for a link to the part and an illustration that should help you understand what they're talking about.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.co...gid=0

Just unscrew the inner tie rod from the outer tie rod, slide the old boots off, clean and regrease the joint, and slide the new ones on. The FSM details how to put the wire retainer on the inner side. It's a pretty easy process. Always have a front end alignment completed after this process... even a 1/16th of a turn is significant.

Heath

[mxr662]

Do the mounts for the rack while your there. It's easy also.

zerothread?id=291740

[maxnix]

Do the mounts for the rack while your there. It's easy also.

I like the SPL polyurethane ones for the Z32.

[BLACKonBLACK98]

I like the SPL polyurethane ones for the Z32.

you mean the energy suspension bushings sold by spl (at an excellent price btw).

[maxnix]

http://www.splparts.com/main4/index.htm

[BLACKonBLACK98]

yeah i know, i ordered them.



see that energy suspension box? i don't know why they chose not to disclose the manufacturer but they are selling es bushings.

[mxr662]

nice rack

[AlabamaDan]

nice rack

Kidding aside. It's easy to replace these. Once I did it I was embarrassed I hadn't done it sooner. My advice on it is to mark the tie rod ends with a little paint so you know exactly where they should go back to when you reassemble. That way you don't have to have an alignment.

[trajanH]

Kidding aside. It's easy to replace these. Once I did it I was embarrassed I hadn't done it sooner. My advice on it is to mark the tie rod ends with a little paint so you know exactly where they should go back to when you reassemble. That way you don't have to have an alignment.

How easy is it really to replace these. I mean like what is the first step and what tools are needed(that i should rent) to unscrew the outer tie rod from the inner tie rod? Usually those old bolts and nuts are difficult to deal with.I want to replace a torn rack boot and clean a leaky seal. any help would really be appreciated.

[Victor]

If its the same as a J30 start by cutting off the old damage boot. Then just using regular wrenches you can loosen the lock nuts and spin the shaft out from the inner and outer tie rod ends, or probably just the inner tie rod end would be good enough, it swivels on a ball. Then clean and lube everything and reinstall the new boot on the shaft but don't clamp the ends until you have the rod back in the same position it was before you disassembled it. As someone said, either mark the position with paint or count exposed threads and you probably won't have to do a new wheel alignment if you can get it back the same as it was before. BTW, it helps if you have the wheel off the ground so you can move it as you are turning the tie rod end off the rod.

[maxnix]

How easy is it really to replace these.

No matter how well marked, you will need a laser alignment if you care about tire wear and handling.

[trajanH]

I am not going to go for the laser alignment if i can get the outer tie rod unscrewed. I made a half assed attempt to unscrew the outer tie rod on a car in the junk yard the other day just for practice and it seemed very difficult to unscrew without the proper tools. Just interested in the technique used or the tool used because you have to use a lot of force and clamp down on the bar while you unscrew the nut. I'm seeing that Autozone loans out a 2 in 1 Tie Rod Tool. Anyone have any experience using that tool or anything like it?

[Victor]

Try unscrewing the inner tie rod end (under the boot which you have to cut off first). I got n outer tie rod end remover from autozone for my J30T, but after taking off the tie rod end I saw it was wasted effort, all I really had to do was unscrew the inner tie rod end.Forgot to mention, the wheel attached to the tie rod end has to be off the ground so it can move as you make the tie rod assembly longer as you unscrew the end.

Modified by Victor at 10:25 AM 8/10/2009
Modified by Victor at 10:27 AM 8/10/2009

[trajanH]

Try unscrewing the inner tie rod end (under the boot which you have to cut off first). I got n outer tie rod end remover from autozone for my J30T, but after taking off the tie rod end I saw it was wasted effort, all I really had to do was unscrew the inner tie rod end.Forgot to mention, the wheel attached to the tie rod end has to be off the ground so it can move as you make the tie rod assembly longer as you unscrew the end.

Modified by Victor at 10:25 AM 8/10/2009

Modified by Victor at 10:27 AM 8/10/2009

Thanks for the reply. I looked under the boot and saw the inner tie rod end was slotted so you can get a wrench in and unscrew it but I was afraid to deal with it figuring that i might mess something up. I got a tie rod puller from Autozone and pulled the outer tie rod off and so I got the new boot on.I noticed that an o-ring type seal was loose inside the boot and that was the cause of the leaking. I pushed it back in and am wondering what i can use to seal it? Is that o-ring part replaceable?