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Boot on the power steering link

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by choopes, Jul 25, 2022.

  1. Jul 25, 2022 at 9:28 AM
    #1
    choopes

    choopes [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I noticed the right side boot has a tear in the rubber. How hard is this to replace? Should I service/replace what's inside there? What about those funky clamps? I don't see a way tighten them or loosen them. What is the process? What is a good source for parts? My truck is a 2004, 5 lug with a 2.4 engine.
     
  2. Jul 25, 2022 at 9:49 AM
    #2
    Bivouac

    Bivouac Well-Known Member

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    Remains to be seen I bought the tires and wheels the rest came along
    That boot helps keep dirt off of the steering rack shaft and inner tie rod joint given enough time it will ruin the seal then it starts leaking .

    Road dirt and a ball and socket joint never play well. ( inner Tie Rod)

    It has been so long I can not recall if new clamps come with the boots .

    Worse case a worm drive Hose clamp will work.

    My Brain shuts down in the hot humid weather
     
    AllTacosFloat and Taco critter like this.
  3. Jul 25, 2022 at 10:58 AM
    #3
    choopes

    choopes [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yea. Mine shuts down when its too hot, sometimes for no reason. Not sure what a good scouse would be.
     
  4. Jul 25, 2022 at 12:44 PM
    #4
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    I got the moog's from o'rielys,,,,,
    there's one size for 5 lug, and dif 6 lug....

    Mine came with black zip ties.....
    If you order em from amozon, they're almost half price....

    When u use the zip tie, you got to check it every so often.....clean that groove and seat that zip tie very carefully and tight....
    Passenger is only side thats given me problems, had one split a year ago, and then couple months ago when greasing balls, I notice the passenger side had popped loose.....must be a shorter arc....

    I even have the band tightening tool, and seems no one uses the steel bands anymore.....

    With one of these I do a boot a side in 5 min......and count your revolutions when u take the outer off......or just 'set' that nut at correct stop.....so you dont have to get an alignment.....

    11931903_ptl_w83022_pri_larg.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2022
  5. Jul 25, 2022 at 12:53 PM
    #5
    TenBeers

    TenBeers Well-Known Member

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    At least on the 3rd gen, the OEM boots don't come with the clamps. Those are separate part numbers. The clamps are narrow and do require a special tool (regular hose clamps won't work, they are too wide and don't fit into the groove). The inner clamp can be a test of patience with little room to work (again, it was on a 3rd gen, not sure about 1st). The zip tie idea sounds reasonable if you keep a spare handy, but they should work just fine.

    The hole in mine was on the bottom, and I have no idea how long it was there (likely a stick poked through it on a trail at some point). Mine was clean inside, so I just popped the new boot on.

    I tried my best to get the tie rod back to the original spot, but my markings weren't too good and took it for an alignment after.
     
  6. Jul 26, 2022 at 9:01 AM
    #6
    choopes

    choopes [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I think the rip in mine happened when loaded onto a trailer. It didn't used to be that way. It looks clean inside so maybe no dirt got in there. I am going for a alignment soon, so now would be a good time.
    If the factory replacements require a special tool to put the bands on, maybe one from advance would be a better choice.
    BTW- How did you get the old band off?
     
  7. Jul 26, 2022 at 9:20 AM
    #7
    TenBeers

    TenBeers Well-Known Member

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    I just used snips to cut the old band off. Since it is a steering boot (not a CV boot), it doesn't rotate, so a good zip tie pulled tight is probably reasonable.
     
  8. Jul 26, 2022 at 2:33 PM
    #8
    choopes

    choopes [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks TenBeers.
    Just one more as I mentally go through the task.
    What do you use to lube the piece inside? axle grease? gear oil? What works best and stays the longest?
    Thanks
     
  9. Jul 26, 2022 at 6:05 PM
    #9
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

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    I would think you can use any good thick bearing grease....

    Definitely dont want any kind of oil,....finding oil in the boot, is a good indicator the rack seals are leaking....

    Make sure you clean that rod real good on that side of rack....
    you dont want any contamination on that sliding shaft sliding in and out of rack.....
    I'd be more worried about that than the joint......

    Be a good time to wiggle that outer tie rod ball joint, it should have min resistance, and no free play or flop.......and these are very cheap to replace, inner ones I can get a lot of milage, while my outers I swap every 50K......on rwd drive they are sedan size....way smaller than 6 lug truck size.....
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2022

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