Torn steering boot.. question

[MC2]

Just discovered my drivers side tie rod or steering boot is torn. I can see the pinion teeth up through the boot probably collecting all sorts of gunk...

I have a couple of questions

1) Should i bother changing the tie rods? Or are they probably fine?

2) I can see grease on the teeth of the PS pinion, do i need to clean it off and regrease it? If so, what kind of grease?

Thanks!

[decke48]

if you tie rods are tight. i wouldnt worry about replacing them. if you want to grease the rack use an axle or suspension grease. or even wheel bearing grease

[MC2]

i didn't undo the castle bolt on the outer tie rod yet, so i can't check if its tight but in wiggling the wheel around there's no free play at all so i guess it should be fine.

Guess i'll just need to get the boots.

I guess i'm gonna need an alignment afterwards?

[jey]

I guess i'm gonna need an alignment afterwards?

If you mark the location of thinigs when you dismantle you might be able to get away without an alignment but the proper way would be to get an alignment afterwards.

[ivwarrior]

Yes, you'll need an alignment afterwards. Even if you try and mark locations of things, you're still NOT going to get it back exactly where it was before. Even if you do, unless you've had the car aligned recently, it still might not be right. Just get the alignment, and then you'll know it's right.

[MC2]

are all steering rack boots made equal?

Kragen's wants 34 bucks a piece for Moog boots, I can get lemforder boots for 10 bucks online, or ohno boots for 28 bucks from the same site...

Its just a piece of rubber, right?