More questions on LBJ and tie rods

[Ghostrider]

Hopefully an easy one. I am only doing the LBJ's. Where does the rubber gasket/protector for the outer tie rod come from. None came with my LBJ's from Toyota. The parts list does seems to show it as part of tie rod. I am concerned that I may tear it with a tie rod puller and then have to do the tie rods. I am referencing what looks like a rubber boot at the end of tie rod - not the bellows closer to the inner tie rod

 

[viceversa]

pretty sure what you're talking about is part of the outer tie rod and not the lower ball joint assembly.

see this thread for removal without messing up the boot on the tie rod:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/103217-lower-ball-joint-removal-installation.html

 

[Ghostrider]

That was the thread that generated my question. I was trying to plan ahead just in case I tore that rubber part. I guess in that case I have to do the outer tie rod

 

[viceversa]

I think you are confusing the tie rod and the actual lower ball joint...following that guide and using the method pictured below, you will not mess up the tie rod.

 

[Ghostrider]

No - I am not confused over LBJ and tie rods. I was confused over whether I could purchase what is part of the tie rod. In your picture the tie rod puller has it's arms just above the rubber seal I was asking about. I am concerned that the pulling action will tear that seal and wanted a spare - without having to buy the entire rod. That does not seem possible

 

[KidVermicious]

The jaws on the puller go between the steering arm and the tie rod end boot, and then pull in the other direction - you'll almost have to try to damage the boot to screw it up. On the other hand, don't use a pickle fork because that will definitely shred the boot.

I don't know for sure if you can get the boot without buying a whole tie rod end, but I bet you can, or at least get something similiar enough to do the job.

 

[snivilous]

I have the boots from my old tie rods I could send you if you wanted haha

 

[viceversa]

With all these threads you are posting up about this...I think you are biting yourself in the ass trying to plan for everything that could go wrong. Get under there and start doing it!

 

[JayRolla]

With a puller I have never damaged the boot. The outer tie rod ends are sold as complete units. Ive never replaced just the boot or seen it sold that way on this vehicle but im sure somewhere you can find one. If they are high mileage just buy new ones.

 

[Ghostrider]

With all these threads you are posting up about this...I think you are biting yourself in the ass trying to plan for everything that could go wrong. Get under there and start doing it!

OK - that made me laugh in the hotel room. I thought the same thing last night - I am way over analyzing this...

Unfortunately I just turned on the radio and need to fix the plastic chain for the antenna while I have the wheel off...

 

[viceversa]

No worries, we are here to help regardless