Drag link boot cover - '01 TJ
 

Hi All,

I was under my TJ yesterday for a visual check (just precautionary) and noticed that the rubber boot over the end of the drag link has cracked. This is the tyre end (steering knuckle joint). There is clean grease in it, but the boot needs replacing. The FSM talks about taking the whole drag link off, but do I really need to for changing the boot over the joint? Any pointers. I just don't want to pay mega dollars for labour at a shop where the actual part is only a few dollars (i.e. the rubber boot).

BTW, its a RHD Wrangler (I am in New Zealand).

Thanks
TW
---------
'01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto D30/D44
265/75R16 BFG Muds, JKS Quick Discos, OME Lift, 1" MML, 1" BL

Re: Drag link boot cover - '01 TJ
 

Finding the boot is going to be the tough part. These are normally sold as
part of the steering component in question. There are aftermarket
replacements made, out of red urethane. Try searching for "prothane tie rod
boot" on http://shopping.yahoo.com/ I put a set of these on a Toyota Land
Cruiser. It not only helped with retaining the grease, but they also looked
quite stylish.

If you have good local suppliers, this shouldn't be a problem. If you have
an honest repair shop, the labor should be relatively cheap. I have had
repair people in the U.S. tell me, that the only way they would replace a
ball joint boot, was to replace all four ball joints. Well their kids have
to eat too, but there is a limit.

Earle

"TW" <attw@wave.co.nz (delete this)> wrote in message
news:efkjki$muv$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
Hi All,

I was under my TJ yesterday for a visual check (just precautionary) and
noticed that the rubber boot over the end of the drag link has cracked.
This is the tyre end (steering knuckle joint). There is clean grease in it,
but the boot needs replacing. The FSM talks about taking the whole drag
link off, but do I really need to for changing the boot over the joint? Any
pointers. I just don't want to pay mega dollars for labour at a shop where
the actual part is only a few dollars (i.e. the rubber boot).

BTW, its a RHD Wrangler (I am in New Zealand).

Thanks
TW
---------
'01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto D30/D44
265/75R16 BFG Muds, JKS Quick Discos, OME Lift, 1" MML, 1" BL

Re: Drag link boot cover - '01 TJ
 

Finding the boot is going to be the tough part. These are normally sold as
part of the steering component in question. There are aftermarket
replacements made, out of red urethane. Try searching for "prothane tie rod
boot" on http://shopping.yahoo.com/ I put a set of these on a Toyota Land
Cruiser. It not only helped with retaining the grease, but they also looked
quite stylish.

If you have good local suppliers, this shouldn't be a problem. If you have
an honest repair shop, the labor should be relatively cheap. I have had
repair people in the U.S. tell me, that the only way they would replace a
ball joint boot, was to replace all four ball joints. Well their kids have
to eat too, but there is a limit.

Earle

"TW" <attw@wave.co.nz (delete this)> wrote in message
news:efkjki$muv$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
Hi All,

I was under my TJ yesterday for a visual check (just precautionary) and
noticed that the rubber boot over the end of the drag link has cracked.
This is the tyre end (steering knuckle joint). There is clean grease in it,
but the boot needs replacing. The FSM talks about taking the whole drag
link off, but do I really need to for changing the boot over the joint? Any
pointers. I just don't want to pay mega dollars for labour at a shop where
the actual part is only a few dollars (i.e. the rubber boot).

BTW, its a RHD Wrangler (I am in New Zealand).

Thanks
TW
---------
'01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto D30/D44
265/75R16 BFG Muds, JKS Quick Discos, OME Lift, 1" MML, 1" BL

Re: Drag link boot cover - '01 TJ
 

Finding the boot is going to be the tough part. These are normally sold as
part of the steering component in question. There are aftermarket
replacements made, out of red urethane. Try searching for "prothane tie rod
boot" on http://shopping.yahoo.com/ I put a set of these on a Toyota Land
Cruiser. It not only helped with retaining the grease, but they also looked
quite stylish.

If you have good local suppliers, this shouldn't be a problem. If you have
an honest repair shop, the labor should be relatively cheap. I have had
repair people in the U.S. tell me, that the only way they would replace a
ball joint boot, was to replace all four ball joints. Well their kids have
to eat too, but there is a limit.

Earle

"TW" <attw@wave.co.nz (delete this)> wrote in message
news:efkjki$muv$1@lust.ihug.co.nz...
Hi All,

I was under my TJ yesterday for a visual check (just precautionary) and
noticed that the rubber boot over the end of the drag link has cracked.
This is the tyre end (steering knuckle joint). There is clean grease in it,
but the boot needs replacing. The FSM talks about taking the whole drag
link off, but do I really need to for changing the boot over the joint? Any
pointers. I just don't want to pay mega dollars for labour at a shop where
the actual part is only a few dollars (i.e. the rubber boot).

BTW, its a RHD Wrangler (I am in New Zealand).

Thanks
TW
---------
'01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto D30/D44
265/75R16 BFG Muds, JKS Quick Discos, OME Lift, 1" MML, 1" BL

Re: Drag link boot cover - '01 TJ
 

Hi Earle,

Thanks for a quick reply, I have also found the boots on Quadratec, who export to NZ (http://www.quadratec.com/products/16058_61.htm). At this price, I would try the local market on Monday first and see if I can find something similar. Freight from US would kill the price. I will also talk to my regular mechanic and see if he can do a favour and not charge much (normally he is really good).

Thanks
TW
---

"Earle Horton" <earle-NOSPAM-horton@msn.com> wrote in message news:451dd363$0$20251$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
Finding the boot is going to be the tough part. These are normally sold as
part of the steering component in question. There are aftermarket
replacements made, out of red urethane. Try searching for "prothane tie rod
boot" on http://shopping.yahoo.com/ I put a set of these on a Toyota Land
Cruiser. It not only helped with retaining the grease, but they also looked
quite stylish.

If you have good local suppliers, this shouldn't be a problem. If you have
an honest repair shop, the labor should be relatively cheap. I have had
repair people in the U.S. tell me, that the only way they would replace a
ball joint boot, was to replace all four ball joints. Well their kids have
to eat too, but there is a limit.

Earle

Re: Drag link boot cover - '01 TJ
 

Hi Earle,

Thanks for a quick reply, I have also found the boots on Quadratec, who export to NZ (http://www.quadratec.com/products/16058_61.htm). At this price, I would try the local market on Monday first and see if I can find something similar. Freight from US would kill the price. I will also talk to my regular mechanic and see if he can do a favour and not charge much (normally he is really good).

Thanks
TW
---

"Earle Horton" <earle-NOSPAM-horton@msn.com> wrote in message news:451dd363$0$20251$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
Finding the boot is going to be the tough part. These are normally sold as
part of the steering component in question. There are aftermarket
replacements made, out of red urethane. Try searching for "prothane tie rod
boot" on http://shopping.yahoo.com/ I put a set of these on a Toyota Land
Cruiser. It not only helped with retaining the grease, but they also looked
quite stylish.

If you have good local suppliers, this shouldn't be a problem. If you have
an honest repair shop, the labor should be relatively cheap. I have had
repair people in the U.S. tell me, that the only way they would replace a
ball joint boot, was to replace all four ball joints. Well their kids have
to eat too, but there is a limit.

Earle

Re: Drag link boot cover - '01 TJ
 

Hi Earle,

Thanks for a quick reply, I have also found the boots on Quadratec, who export to NZ (http://www.quadratec.com/products/16058_61.htm). At this price, I would try the local market on Monday first and see if I can find something similar. Freight from US would kill the price. I will also talk to my regular mechanic and see if he can do a favour and not charge much (normally he is really good).

Thanks
TW
---

"Earle Horton" <earle-NOSPAM-horton@msn.com> wrote in message news:451dd363$0$20251$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
Finding the boot is going to be the tough part. These are normally sold as
part of the steering component in question. There are aftermarket
replacements made, out of red urethane. Try searching for "prothane tie rod
boot" on http://shopping.yahoo.com/ I put a set of these on a Toyota Land
Cruiser. It not only helped with retaining the grease, but they also looked
quite stylish.

If you have good local suppliers, this shouldn't be a problem. If you have
an honest repair shop, the labor should be relatively cheap. I have had
repair people in the U.S. tell me, that the only way they would replace a
ball joint boot, was to replace all four ball joints. Well their kids have
to eat too, but there is a limit.

Earle

Re: Drag link boot cover - '01 TJ
 

I also have split/lost one off my drag link. I just grease it a lot.

I don't want to take a chance on destroying the joint while trying to
get it apart because the sucker costs big bucks. ($120.00 or more here)

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

TW wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I was under my TJ yesterday for a visual check (just precautionary) and noticed that the rubber boot over the end of the drag link has cracked. This is the tyre end (steering knuckle joint). There is clean grease in it, but the boot needs replacing. The FSM talks about taking the whole drag link off, but do I really need to for changing the boot over the joint? Any pointers. I just don't want to pay mega dollars for labour at a shop where the actual part is only a few dollars (i.e. the rubber boot).
>
> BTW, its a RHD Wrangler (I am in New Zealand).
>
> Thanks
> TW
> ---------
> '01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto D30/D44
> 265/75R16 BFG Muds, JKS Quick Discos, OME Lift, 1" MML, 1" BL

Re: Drag link boot cover - '01 TJ
 

I also have split/lost one off my drag link. I just grease it a lot.

I don't want to take a chance on destroying the joint while trying to
get it apart because the sucker costs big bucks. ($120.00 or more here)

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

TW wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I was under my TJ yesterday for a visual check (just precautionary) and noticed that the rubber boot over the end of the drag link has cracked. This is the tyre end (steering knuckle joint). There is clean grease in it, but the boot needs replacing. The FSM talks about taking the whole drag link off, but do I really need to for changing the boot over the joint? Any pointers. I just don't want to pay mega dollars for labour at a shop where the actual part is only a few dollars (i.e. the rubber boot).
>
> BTW, its a RHD Wrangler (I am in New Zealand).
>
> Thanks
> TW
> ---------
> '01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto D30/D44
> 265/75R16 BFG Muds, JKS Quick Discos, OME Lift, 1" MML, 1" BL

Re: Drag link boot cover - '01 TJ
 

I also have split/lost one off my drag link. I just grease it a lot.

I don't want to take a chance on destroying the joint while trying to
get it apart because the sucker costs big bucks. ($120.00 or more here)

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

TW wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I was under my TJ yesterday for a visual check (just precautionary) and noticed that the rubber boot over the end of the drag link has cracked. This is the tyre end (steering knuckle joint). There is clean grease in it, but the boot needs replacing. The FSM talks about taking the whole drag link off, but do I really need to for changing the boot over the joint? Any pointers. I just don't want to pay mega dollars for labour at a shop where the actual part is only a few dollars (i.e. the rubber boot).
>
> BTW, its a RHD Wrangler (I am in New Zealand).
>
> Thanks
> TW
> ---------
> '01 TJ Renegade 4.0L Auto D30/D44
> 265/75R16 BFG Muds, JKS Quick Discos, OME Lift, 1" MML, 1" BL