No steering joint boot available.

[JJZ 109]

I have a boot cracked wide open on one of the inner ball joints on my BX2380. I can find the part in Kubota's diagrams but guess what? Instead of being able to replace a $10 boot, the best that can be done is a complete ball joint replacement. Other than that it's replace the entire tie rod.
Not a very practical solution in my opinion but there's really no other choice. Either buy the $34 part now or just use the tractor until the joint goes bad from dirt, water, etc. intrusion and then replace it. Kind of leaning toward that. The tractor doesn't get any severe duty use.
I contacted Messick via their website today thinking that I'd hear back from them in a day or two because of the holiday. A half hour later I had a reply from Jared in Parts. They didn't have one in stock but he gave me the part number and a pretty lengthy list of dealers that showed the part in stock on the computer. Very class act.

 

[AWSubie]

Since the joint is good; cut up an old inner tube, wrap it around the joint and safety wire in place.

 

[jeff9366]

I can find the steering joint boot in Kubota's diagrams but.......

Many parts are out of stock due to supply train disruptions.

This replacement part may be available in 60 to 90 days.

Have you tried an unlimited Google search for the part?

Have you called Kubota dealers within 50 miles of your property?

 

[Egon]

The tube idea works. [bicycle tube?] A simple wrap of duct tape may also work.

 

[JJZ 109]

I can find the steering joint boot in Kubota's diagrams but.......

Many parts are out of stock due to supply train disruptions.

This replacement part may be available in 60 to 90 days.

Have you tried an unlimited Google search for the part?

Have you called Kubota dealers within 50 miles of your property?

Yes, it's in the diagram but the part number shown corresponds with the whole tie rod, which is $50 plus. Messick's parts man came up with the inner ball joint suggestion to save a few bucks.
The list he sent me showed several dealers that had the part in stock. Closest one is about 65 miles away. I haven't used Google in a few years. I switched to DuckDuckGo. But that's another conversation.

 

[JJZ 109]

The tube idea works. [bicycle tube?] A simple wrap of duct tape may also work.

Along those lines, I have some flashing tape used around new window and door installations that may be better yet. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[dieselscout80]

Smear silicone on it and run it till the joint needs replacing.

 

[3Ts]

I ran into the same problem with my John Deere tie rod boots, but at higher costs. I spent some time looking for boots from 3rd party suppliers and didn't find anything. Also ran into a problem getting the nuts off the tie rods. Bottom line, I ended up cutting up a bicycle inner tube and wrapping that around the rod and holding it in place with zip ties.

 

[JJZ 109]

Smear silicone on it and run it till the joint needs replacing.

I may clean it up and try something like that. I'm in the seamless gutter business and I have something much better than silicone.
The inner tube idea is good too. It's just that I don't have any laying around and I'm not buying a new tube to cut up.

 

[denchen]

Would `self amalgamating` tape over the bad boot hold, until new ones are available.

 

[JJZ 109]

Would `self amalgamating` tape over the bad boot hold, until new ones are available.

I've got a feeling that this will turn into a long term fix. It sounds like a boot by itself will never be available. At least from Kubota. Maybe the aftermarket will address it some day. I'm not really losing sleep over it. The tractor has mainly residential yard work duty on my 2 acres and doesn't see any extreme service. I mow one acre with it. My wife knows how to operate it and she moves her own mulch when I buy it in bulk with the dump trailer.
Maybe some type of butyl tape like the kind sealing the hatch on my enclosed trailers would work too. Lot of options to check out before replacing a perfectly good ball joint with only 70 some hours on it.

 

[denchen]

I`ve seen cut off concertina boots made for steering rack and pinions used on occasions when replacement boots were not available.

 

[Gee Ray]

The front axle on my 4 x 4 GMC now has a a boot that is glue back together and it has not leaked in several thousands of miles. I told the shop to replace it but the guy said the glue would hold it.

The only problem is I do not know what product he used but I provide the info as knowledge that there is a way to repair it.

 

[denchen]

I`ve just looked on Ebay on this side of the pond, and there quite a few `universal track rod end rubber boots``..

 

[newbury]

I'd try flextape, comes up to 12" wide.

 

[JJZ 109]

Wrapped with seam tape that I use over the nailing flanges when installing windows or doors. We'll see how long it holds.

 

[homey53]

I have a boot cracked wide open on one of the inner ball joints on my BX2380. I can find the part in Kubota's diagrams but guess what? Instead of being able to replace a $10 boot, the best that can be done is a complete ball joint replacement. Other than that it's replace the entire tie rod.
Not a very practical solution in my opinion but there's really no other choice. Either buy the $34 part now or just use the tractor until the joint goes bad from dirt, water, etc. intrusion and then replace it. Kind of leaning toward that. The tractor doesn't get any severe duty use.
I contacted Messick via their website today thinking that I'd hear back from them in a day or two because of the holiday. A half hour later I had a reply from Jared in Parts. They didn't have one in stock but he gave me the part number and a pretty lengthy list of dealers that showed the part in stock on the computer. Very class act.

View attachment 704808

Go to Ebay, and in the search box, punch in Kubota BX inner tie rod boots. They're far better than the garbage that Kubota puts on as OEM. I just changed mine on my BX25D. The Ebay boots are way tougher and thicker, and easy to install. Good Luck.

 

[Leejohn]

There was a post put on here to a link that sold many different sizes of the boots, with a real good price. I thought I bookmarked it but can not find it. I don't remember the poster, so maybe someone well remember the post or who put it up. I have my old computer at the shop and I'll see if it's on it.

 

[Panik]

There was a post put on here to a link that sold many different sizes of the boots, with a real good price. I thought I bookmarked it but can not find it. I don't remember the poster, so maybe someone well remember the post or who put it up. I have my old computer at the shop and I'll see if it's on it.

Don't know if this was the exact product you were looking for, but I seem to remember another relatively recent discussion about bx tie rod boots and the replacements from Bota Products came up in the discussion:

BX Inner & Outer Tie Rod Boots

If ordering from Canada or outside the US & you get a high shipping price I will adjust it to the lowest rate and refund the difference to the card you purchased it with. PICTURE SHOWS (1) TIE ROD WITH INNER & OUTER BOOTS & YOU ARE GETTING (4) BOOTS ENOUGH FOR (2) TIE RODS. ONE KIT = ONE...

bxtractorparts.com

 

[JJZ 109]

eBay does indeed show several options. Some look exactly like those in the link provided previously by Panik. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
I don't know how long this link will last, but here's what I went with:

Kubota BX GR Poly Inner Tie Rod Boot Upgrade 1 Yr Warranty | eBay

ALL BX MODELS OLDER(BX1850,60,70,)BX2230,2350,2360,2370,23,24,25 & NEWER 80 SERIES + ALL GR MOWERS. Easy to grease w/grease needle for servicing. Thousands of boots out in the field for 8 years with no problems.

www.ebay.com