"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
11/10/2014 at 16:53 • Filed to: HELP!
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"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
11/10/2014 at 16:53 • Filed to: HELP! | 0
| 10 |
Here's a picture of a burnout for your trouble.
I noticed something when I was changing my oil on my '06 GMC Sierra 2wd. The boot on the left side of the steering rack is leaking grease. Can I just change the boot, or do I need to change the whole steering rack? If I have to change the whole rack, is there any harm or safety concerns in waiting a few months to change it, or should I change it right away?
Thanks!
NaturallyAspirated
> shop-teacher
11/10/2014 at 16:56 |
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If it's the inner tie rod boot, you can certainly replace just the boot if the inside is still clean and greasy. If there's dirt or water in there, you'll probably want to replace the inner tie rod end along with the boot.
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> shop-teacher
11/10/2014 at 17:01 |
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*If* you can find the right boot, and it's not just as easy to replace the end (probably not that expensive) with a Moog or other off the shelf part, and if it's not had any water or dirt in it long-term, and if it's not giving other evidence of wear.
So, the answer to whether you can replace just the boot may be yes, but on many vehicles the best option is a replacement. If the boot is single-piece, that makes for taking the end loose and monkeying with your alignment anyway, which would make the savings of not replacing the whole thing more... in doubt.
As to whether to change it right away, depends on presence of dirt/etc. and just how badly it's split.
Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
> shop-teacher
11/10/2014 at 17:05 |
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If there's no signs of damage or power steering fluid leaks you should be fine just changing the boot.
BZiel
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
11/10/2014 at 18:55 |
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Agreed with this above. And, as stated, if the boot is a single piece, or, if there is evidence of water/dirt/wear contamination...do the entire thing and sleep good.
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shop-teacher
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
11/10/2014 at 20:56 |
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So, definitely maybe. Thanks!
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shop-teacher
> NaturallyAspirated
11/10/2014 at 20:56 |
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Thanks!
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shop-teacher
> Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
11/10/2014 at 20:57 |
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Thanks!
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shop-teacher
> BZiel
11/10/2014 at 20:57 |
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Thanks!
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> shop-teacher
11/11/2014 at 01:17 |
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If this is the big accordion style boot on the inner tie rod end, nothing should ever come out of it, it's just to keep the elements away from critical thingies (note the use of technical industry jargon). The grease on the joint is so thick/viscous and generally not applied liberally enough to really drip down and start leaking, unless of course some other thinner fluid comes along and thins out the grease. 99% of the time when I've seen this it's because the rack end seal is starting to seep power steering fluid into the boot. But power steering fluid shouldn't even make contact with that seal when all is well and good. That seal keeps grease in the rack. The fluid is mainly hydraulic, for power assist. So power steering fluid may be leaking into parts of the rack that it shouldn't be. Typically this type of leak is very slow and can take weeks or more to notice a real drop in fluid level. Ultimately the rack needs to be replaced to fix it, but there is almost never any harm in running it this way as long as you keep the fluid topped off. One good way to diagnose this is to undo the big clamp on the boot and open it up, see if there is any oil starting to pool up in it, there shouldn't be.
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shop-teacher
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
11/11/2014 at 07:30 |
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Thanks! I will try that.