One final question, should I replace the boots with new ones when I do the inner tie rods? They LOOK fine, but after 220,000 miles I'm guessing it's due time.When I replaced my rods I gave the boots a good cleaning, hit them with a bit of Armor All and they looked good as new so I left them in place. It they're cracked, replace 'em. Either way, just make sure they're tight so nothing can get on the inside.cmblackburn wrote:One final question, should I replace the boots with new ones when I do the inner tie rods? They LOOK fine, but after 220,000 miles I'm guessing it's due time.
I hadn't seen that, and their parts guy sure as heck didn't know. It was the 7-digit number throwing everyone off. Everyone was looking for the 4 or the 5 at the end.rspi wrote:Not sure why iPd could not tell you how to tell when it's on their website. If you have a 7 digit number or a 8 digit number that doesn't end in a 5, you have the TMI rack. If you have a 8 digit number that ends with a 5 you have the SMI rack.
Just a +1 on this. These are only dust boots, they are not under any strain, and the OEM ones (from TRW anyway) tend to last a very long time. And for most of the rubber parts you can buy today, what is made today has nowhere near the longevity of what was made 15 years ago. When I replaced the rack on my previous 850 at 200k and 14 years, I just re-used the old boots. Zip ties are a convenient way to cinch them down.vjaneczko wrote:When I replaced my rods I gave the boots a good cleaning, hit them with a bit of Armor All and they looked good as new so I left them in place. It they're cracked, replace 'em. Either way, just make sure they're tight so nothing can get on the inside.cmblackburn wrote:One final question, should I replace the boots with new ones when I do the inner tie rods? They LOOK fine, but after 220,000 miles I'm guessing it's due time.
For me, "why not?" was because the replacements were like 2 - 1/2 inches shorter than the ones on the rack. But I hear ya,make the call that works for you when you get 'em.cmblackburn wrote:I ordered the replacements, anyway. They were only $7 a piece, so why not. My TRW's were looking pretty shot. Thanks for all the tips everybody; hopefully someone will find this thread useful.
