Boot destroyed on steering shaft

So I was under my truck looking for the cause of my steering clunk when I noticed a rubber piece hanging from the steering shaft. When I grabbed it the rubber just fell apart and off the shaft. So my question is will this hurt anything? I know its probably to keep dust out of the steering components and I do a lot of driving on dirt roads so I don't want to mess anything up.

 

I'm sure that didn't happen over night. Looks like it's been like that for a while now

 

damn everytime i see you ^ post i end up wanting donuts w/ bacon on top lol..

I would definitely replace/fix that if it were me. There are quite a few things that could cause clunks in the front end..

CV axles, Steering rack bushings, tie rods, ball joints, sway bar(end links.) ETC.

 

Just happened to notice it while looking under there, probably been hanging there for years. I'm not sure what this part is called or where to even find a replacement. I think the source of my clunk is either ball joints or tie rods as they look pretty beat. I came down pretty hard on the front driver side wheel and started to hear a metal on metal clicking sound afterword.

 

dude replace both of those LBJ's as soon as you can IMO.

Also when getting LBJ's i would highly recommend going with OEM toyota parts.

Cheapest you can get toyota parts is at:

http://parts.camelbacktoyota.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214329

 

I know there pretty bad, money has just been going to fix other stuff first. My friends dad works in the parts department at Earnhart Toyota so i'm going to see how much it would be from him first. Camelback has them for $93, there both local to me too.

 

I feel it. IMO the LBJs are a life safety part that you should consider replacing before doing other mods/repairs. But yea it seems like you know what your doing. Just my .02

 

^^^^^^AGREE^^^^^^