2003 Taco - Tear in steering rack boot

I have a tear in my left hand side (driver's side) drive shaft boot closest to the tire. Does anyone have any comprehensive "how to" replace that? This is not the CV boot - see diagram for part I am referring to.

 

"not the cv boot" whats pictured is the outer cv boot..?

the tulips are held in place with c clips on both sides. you need some clip pliers to get the inner one off as hes stubborn. other than that its a straight forward (but MESSY) job.

 

Oh the diagrams are the same! Sorry. I guess what I have a tear in is the boot on the front lower suspension arm. Editing thread.

 

You mean the balljoint boot?

 

And your sig says you have a 4.7l taco. Engine swap?

 

Is that what this is?

 

Ha! No, it's a 2.7L - typo!

 

Steering rack boot or "bellows"

 

Is this something to be concerned about? I'm new to the truck and learning as I go

 

You want to replace to keep debris out of the rack. Should be able to get at most parts stores cheap. To install you need to disassemble the tie rod end so a wheel alignment would then be required aswell.

If its just a small tear you could patch it with some silicon or rubber cement patch.

 

Has anyone ever used a RakBoot to prevent needing an alignment? http://www.stretchcvboot.com/rakboot/

 

Have you had a recent alignment? If not, consider it a reason to get one.

If you have one recently, you can get it back really close. PRECISELY count the number of turns to undo the tie rod. PRECISELY count the number of turns to reinstall.

If nothing else that will get you close enough it should not be a problem to drive to the shop for an alignment.

 

I'd get an alignment. I have screwed up expensive tires by trying to avoid one. Alignments are $90 and tires are $600+

 

Good point. I'll just suck it up and do it right. Those boots don't fit Tacomas anyway

 

I have used the counting method with quite good results .

While waiting to get the truck aligned I have been rather busy and my Go to shop does not work on weekends so it has been close to 25,000 miles.

So yes it does work but all the Suspension parts are new .

I replaced the boots/bellows when the inner and outer tie rods were replaced