Tie rod boots

[japody]

I had a guy replace the tie rod ends on my Ford 4000. He did not put the boots on. Having him redo it is not in the cards. Is there any way to place something on to replace the boots short of taking the tie rods apart?

 

[dragoneggs]

I replaced the boots on my BX. It was a pain. They are ripped again. It sure would be nice if there was an aftermarket boot with some kind of sealable slit that could be easily slipped on without having to disconnect the joint.

 

[John0829]

It's not that hard to pop the tie rods loose especially since they were just done. Loosen the nut and using two hammers, one to hold against the side of the eye the tie rod is in and the other to smack the other side and it will pop right out. May take a wack or two but it will let go. Then finish unscrewing the nut, slip the boot on and re-tighten. Done and done.

Tie rods are one of the most simple repairs anyone can do on a tractor.

 

[HillStreet]

I need to replace the boots on my B2650. If I remember right, the Kubota dealer told me I had to buy the entire tie rod assembly because they don’t sell just the boots. I’m gonna double check that.

 

[dragoneggs]

It's not that hard to pop the tie rods loose especially since they were just done. Loosen the nut and using two hammers, one to hold against the side of the eye the tie rod is in and the other to smack the other side and it will pop right out. May take a wack or two but it will let go. Then finish unscrewing the nut, slip the boot on and re-tighten. Done and done.

Tie rods are one of the most simple repairs anyone can do on a tractor.

True it isn't hard but but you need to realign after you install. I counted the exposed threads so I could get it back to where it was.

I need to replace the boots on my B2650. If I remember right, the Kubota dealer told me I had to buy the entire tie rod assembly because they don’t sell just the boots. I’m gonna double check that.

I bought Kubota boots only from my dealer for my BX.

 

[RalphVa]

I once replaced the boot over a constant velocity joint on the 220D. I carefully cut a slit completely around it, slipped it over the joint (after removing the old one, of course: just a couple big like hose clamps). Then used Super Glue to put it back together. Worked. Sold the car that way.

However, don't think the boots on tie rod ends have enough rubber thickness to do this. Don't see why a "boot" that covered the tie rod with joining in the middle and over the two rods going to the joint would not work, except that you could not lube it then without untying the whole thing. This would be like 2 ninety degree "handkerchiefs" slid over the tie rod and then joined on the other side.

Ralph

 

[RalphVa]

It's not that hard to pop the tie rods loose especially since they were just done. Loosen the nut and using two hammers, one to hold against the side of the eye the tie rod is in and the other to smack the other side and it will pop right out. May take a wack or two but it will let go. Then finish unscrewing the nut, slip the boot on and re-tighten. Done and done.

Tie rods are one of the most simple repairs anyone can do on a tractor.

Rent or buy yourself one of the little C-clamp-looking tie rod remover tools. Could even use a tie rod fork to remove. Be sure and count the # turns of the tie rod onto the shaft.

Ralph

 

[rScotty]

I had a guy replace the tie rod ends on my Ford 4000. He did not put the boots on. Having him redo it is not in the cards. Is there any way to place something on to replace the boots short of taking the tie rods apart?

You may laugh at my solution, but I had that exact same problem on a vintage sports car where I could only find one OEM boot, it was real expensive, and replacing it looked to be an nasty job.

So I took that one nice clean boot down to a local leather/sailmaking seamstress shop, explained the problem, and asked if they would make me up a couple of tie rod covers out of oiled garment leather or whatever they had that was even more durable.

that I could clamp to the tie rod shafts but the whole piece should have a lengthwise zipper so it could be installed without taking the tie rods apart. They did, and it worked great. Today, I think that hook and loop would work just as well, or maybe just a glued overlap. But leather does suprisingly well with grease.
After all, all it has to do is keep water and dirt out and some grease in.

rScotty

 

[ovrszd]

It's not that hard to pop the tie rods loose especially since they were just done. Loosen the nut and using two hammers, one to hold against the side of the eye the tie rod is in and the other to smack the other side and it will pop right out. May take a wack or two but it will let go. Then finish unscrewing the nut, slip the boot on and re-tighten. Done and done.

Tie rods are one of the most simple repairs anyone can do on a tractor.

Possibly the most misunderstood task. I don't even use two hammers, just one. Smack it at the outer end of the loop if possible. Nice big Ball Peen Hammer. Should come within three hits. If not, quit being a "Nancy" and hit it.

 

[ovrszd]

True it isn't hard but but you need to realign after you install. I counted the exposed threads so I could get it back to where it was.


I bought Kubota boots only from my dealer for my BX.

Mark, he's just talking about getting it apart to put the rubber boot on.

Edit: Mark an old Ford 4000 uses tie rods like older cars used so there's no boot on the double ended cylinder because it doesn't have one.

 

[RalphVa]

Possibly the most misunderstood task. I don't even use two hammers, just one. Smack it at the outer end of the loop if possible. Nice big Ball Peen Hammer. Should come within three hits. If not, quit being a "Nancy" and hit it.

When hitting the ends of threads like this, it helps to screw the nut back on loosely. This will avoid having the thread ends messed up.

 

[ovrszd]

When hitting the ends of threads like this, it helps to screw the nut back on loosely. This will avoid having the thread ends messed up.

We don't hit the threads Ralph. Reread the posts.

Never, ever hit on the threaded stem of the tie rod end.

 

[ovrszd]

How about a pictorial?

Remove the cotter pin. Loosen the nut leaving a couple turns so you don't drop the tie rod. Smack the loop the tie rod stem goes thru where my finger is pointing. Diligently and with conviction. The tapered stem will drop out of the loop. Never, ever hit on the threaded tie rod stem.

Using my little JD as a demo because I'm too lazy to walk out to the machine shed and take a pic of the Ford 3910.

 

[japody]

Thanks for all of the replies. I had the guy do it because I didn't have the time. I guess I'll now have to make the time.

 

[gstrom99]

You should use the "press" tool or a "pickle fork" to split the tie rod from the knuckle. You can buy just the boots. Aftermarket are available, try Jegs, Summit or NAPA for starters. I bet Amazon has 'em too. You may need to measure 'em for the correct size.

 

[ovrszd]

You should use the "press" tool or a "pickle fork" to split the tie rod from the knuckle.

I'm curious as to why?

 

[Rebeldad1]

Easy and simple. Like some I dont like smacking parts with a hammer= no damage

Since it was just apart and new tierod ends put on you probably can loosen the nut and tap the threaded end with a 2x4 scrap
or wedge a screw driver in it and pop it loose. no alignment necessary.

 

[gstrom99]

I'm curious as to why?

Because they make the tools, so you don't have to beat on things with hammers. I beat on enuff things that are stuck, so I should know.

 

[John0829]

I have been turning wrenches for a living for closer to 50 years than I care to think about and have never used a fork or press on tie rod ends and never damaged one. Back when I was a pup a mechanic I learned most of it from (and still did not learn all he knew) taught me the importance of backing up the eye with a second hammer to increase the shock. Besides like has been said, since they were just replaced they will more than likely pop loose easily and nothing to align. Even if there were aligning a tractor is child's play.

 

[ovrszd]

So OP is supposed to go buy a widget tool to remove two tierods? What's that tool cost?

Have you ever saw a Professional Mechanic remove a tierod?