Can outer tie rod end boots be replaced?

[Qyota]

Somehow, the passenger side outer tie rod end boot on my truck pooped out it's grease. It doesn't look torn, but the grease is definitely oozing out. The TREs are less than a year old, and are OEM. I'd rather not have to buy a whole new TRE - can these be re-booted? If so, can someone point me to a boot source? The ones I've found are for 2nd gens.

Thanks!

 

[hungryeddy]

yes they have them under "tie rod bellows" at the auto parts stores

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'd call the dealer and ask if there is a kit available. I do not know offhand. The bellows are for the inner tie rods.

It is times like these why one keeps their old parts, mimicking Sanford and Sons.

 

[audiness]

The dealer does't sell just the boots, you have to buy the whole thing. i am not aware of an aftermarket manufacturer of just the boots, but there might be ...??

 

[MountainMike11]

Yes, they are also sometimes under Pinon bellows, most are under 20 bucks. I think some as cheap at 10 bucks.

it stinks though because you have to separate the inner and outer rod ends to get them on.

Make sure you mark your thread count or you will mess up your alignment.

 

[Qyota]

Some of you guys don't read so well!

I'm asking about the OUTER TRE boot, not the inner bellows. But thanks.

I see that the previous gen 4Runner has aftermarket OTRE boots available...I wonder if they'd work. I've also heard of people using a syringe to replace the grease in a damaged boot (and just keep an eye on it).

 

[TheFriZ]

Bringing this back, I had an Outer Tie Rod Boot tear on me today, and the Rod ends are perfectly good, tight, 555 units that I would hate to let prematurely wear just because a boot tore....

I see that Energy Suspension makes them for Tacomas of our Generation 4Runners, but I'm not sure if they would work. I believe Tacomas have a bit of a different OTRE size, but im not sure where those differences lie.

Energy Suspension 9.13101 Front Tie Rod Dust Boots Made by Energy Suspension

I really want to find a new boot. I wonder if you can buy just a boot from the dealer?

 

[heat]

I've used the Energy Suspension pieces on other vehicles, and they're good. A whole different class compared to the junk the local auto supply places typically sell (the Help line, for instance).

Online sources for Toyota parts only show the inner boot (bellows) separately.

 

[hour]

Yeah, I knew this thread title seemed familiar so I wasn't surprised seeing it was from 2013.. knew I had read it.

I never found a source, an answer, etc.. mine both pooped out their grease. I guess they were fine. If they weren't already torn, I did it during LBJ replacement... and truck aligned fine a couple weeks later. Been many thousands of miles and over 6 months since. Not saying I advocate driving like this. I should probably balls up and do both inner and outer since I've done everything else. Just sucks that a squished piece of rubber, especially one so small, would require a new part entirely.

 

[TheFriZ]

Hm, I just wonder if the ones made for Tacoma OTRE's would fit the 4Runner OTRE's good enough to make a seal

 

[martinezman107]

I have this same exact problem and I was doing some research and came across this post I have a 99 t4r..anyways I just got off the phone with summit racing and they said they only have the outer tie rod boot for 97 4runners and made it clear it wouldn't fit mine wondering if there is truth in this??