Dust Boots on Tie-rod ball joints

[RayIN]

Something happened today I've never experienced. I was brush-hogging tall, thick Multi-Floral Rose bushes. When I stopped and returned the tractor the the garage, I used a leaf-blower to remove the pollen, leaves, dirt, and trash from my equipment. Then something shiny caught my eyes, it was both ball-joints. At first I though they were failing so I shook the tie-rod and it was solid.
Then I realized the thick brushy, thorned, bushes have torn off the rubber dust boots from the ball-joints.
I suspect this happened because I used the FEL bucket to push the stuff down and find hidden obstructions. I know replacement boots are sold, I just have to find where and the price.
I never did like replacing ball-joints, now I have 2 to remove and replace.

 

[5030]

Pull the cotter pin, back the nut off and leave it on but proud of the top of the thread's and give it a good tump with a 5 pound drilling hammer and it will pop right out.

 

[Tinhack]

I like to turn the castle nut over and whack the flat side.

 

[5030]

Good idea as well, not sonething I considered but I've never had to hit them more than once and not overly hard either.

 

[CalG]

Your not the first.

torn tie rod dust covers.

This past weekend i tore one of my tie rod end dust covers or boots as i call them. has anybody else torn one and has anyone come up with a guard for them. i am working on figureing out how to build some. the part to fix it only cost $5 bucks but it's the hassle of having to fix it. why kubota...

www.tractorbynet.com

They come in all sizes, I got some from "Energy -Suspension" but that was many years ago.

This search string on any engine will return way too many options. ;-)
"tie rod rubber caps"

 

[1Mech]

I never pound on the stud when removing a ball joint, unless I am replacing the ball joint. Don't want to distort the threads.
I always whack the side of the joint where the stud goes through, that usually will pop it loose after a few good whacks. I leave the nut on loosely in case I miss and hit the threads.

 

[not2old]

I never pound on the stud when removing a ball joint, unless I am replacing the ball joint. Don't want to distort the threads.
I always whack the side of the joint where the stud goes through, that usually will pop it loose after a few good whacks. I leave the nut on loosely in case I miss and hit the threads.

You can also buy a specialized puller to put some pressure on the stud when you hit the side. This can be necessary on the occasional stubborn one. The pullers can be obtained inexpensively.

 

[5030]

I never pound on the stud when removing a ball joint, unless I am replacing the ball joint. Don't want to distort the threads.
I always whack the side of the joint where the stud goes through, that usually will pop it loose after a few good whacks. I leave the nut on loosely in case I miss and hit the threads.

The taper on most tractor tie rod ends is short and yes, wacking the side of the casting also works but a sharp wack on the threaded end with the castle hut installed so as to not deform the threads. ALWAYS works.

Far as boots go, I also had that issue some years back and I replaced the boots with sections of bicycle innertube cut to the correct length and zip tied to the joints. Still intact and working years later and a cheap fix. Recently replaced the OEM no grease ends with new OEM greaseable joints.

 

[RayIN]

O'Relliys auto parts store has a huge on-line selection of dust boots. Now I have to go measure so I but the correct size.
I have a 3# brass hammer that will work fine.. I use it when I don't want to mushroom something; plus it's a deadblow action. I've had it for perhaps 50 years, couldn't afford a new one today.

Had I not still used the preventative maintenance taught me in the army, i might not have noticed the missing dust boots as soon as I finished with the tractor that day.
That reminds me, I gotta lube them with silicone before next use. That's what Reyco-Granning front suspension mfgr. recommends for their HDT front suspension sealed ball joints when the boot is compromised.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Great timing of your post. I just saw that my tractor has the boot split. Had no idea you could just replace the boots. I will get me two and do just that.