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Tie Rod Boot Replace

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Old Jan 13, 2018 | 07:05 PM
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Default Tie Rod Boot Replace

Has anyone replaced just the dust boot on their outer tie rod ends? I've sourced replacements. The procedure is not covered in the shop manuals. Seems that it would be to cut away the old and "press fit" the new. Just checking to see what others might have done.
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Old Jan 13, 2018 | 09:27 PM
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You have to remove the tie rod ends to "just" do the boots...
Seems odd to replace the boots and not the tie rod to me
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Old Jan 13, 2018 | 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by foggy
You have to remove the tie rod ends to "just" do the boots...
Seems odd to replace the boots and not the tie rod to me
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Old Jan 13, 2018 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by foggy
You have to remove the tie rod ends to "just" do the boots...
Seems odd to replace the boots and not the tie rod to me
Six bucks to one hundred and six bucks when nothing is fundamentally wrong with the existing. While I appreciate the sentiment, not what I asked...

That said, I was looking at the Moog ES2231RL ends...
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Old Jan 14, 2018 | 08:50 AM
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If you need to replace just the boot, because it cracked due to age, and the tie rod joint itself, is still good, I'd look into an Energy Suspension polyurethane replacement boot.

And yes, you have to disconnect the tie rod from the spindle, then slip the new boot over the stud.
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Old Jan 15, 2018 | 09:33 AM
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I replaced just the boots on my C4. It was just as the above poster said. Remove the nut and pop the stud out of the spindle, remove + replace the boot then reassemble.
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Old Jan 15, 2018 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by leadfoot4
If you need to replace just the boot, because it cracked due to age, and the tie rod joint itself, is still good, I'd look into an Energy Suspension polyurethane replacement boot.

And yes, you have to disconnect the tie rod from the spindle, then slip the new boot over the stud.
Originally Posted by zachaeous
I replaced just the boots on my C4. It was just as the above poster said. Remove the nut and pop the stud out of the spindle, remove + replace the boot then reassemble.
Thanks!

The Energy Suspension boots are what I picked up.

Each of the old boots had a small crack at one of the creases, prompting me to consider replacement before failure. I feel like I am a bit challenged on removing the old one though... I've sliced off as much of the old boot as I can, but it feels like there is still something (piece of the boot) connected to the joint...

Also, how are the new boots held in place? Simply downward pressure? Or with a zip tie?

Thanks!
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Old Jan 15, 2018 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by unlvrebel
Thanks!

The Energy Suspension boots are what I picked up.

Also, how are the new boots held in place? Simply downward pressure? Or with a zip tie?

Thanks!
The boots are held in place by "compression". The wide part of the boot slips over the outside diameter of the tie rod's body, and the "arm" of the spindle, where the tie rod's stud passes through, keeps it in place, after you pass the stud through it, and reinstall the nut.
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Old Jan 16, 2018 | 12:54 PM
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I haven't looked at the C5 ends in a while, but some of the factory stuff has a metal ring holding the boot to the joint. If the joints have this, it should be fairly easy to see it's there. You can knock it off with a flat screwdriver and hammer before installing the new boots.
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Old Jan 17, 2018 | 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by lionelhutz
I haven't looked at the C5 ends in a while, but some of the factory stuff has a metal ring holding the boot to the joint. If the joints have this, it should be fairly easy to see it's there. You can knock it off with a flat screwdriver and hammer before installing the new boots.
Thanks. Got the boot off completely. There wasn't a fastener, just pressed on. But the material was very rigid at the point of attachment. Was able to grab with a pair of dikes. Cleaned the joint thoroughly, regreased and set the boot.

All good.

Thanks again!
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