Grease boot on tie rod end (W20)

Tom A. · 05-30-2005, 02:24 PM

I have a 2004 Allegro motorhome on a W20 Workhorse chassis. After crawling underneath and inspecting the front end, I noticed that the rubber grease boot is missing from the driver's side tie rod end. We are leaving on an 800 mile trip in a few days and can't really get into a workhorse shop. I've been told that as long as I keep this fitting well greased that I won't have a problem, since the boot is only there to keep dirt and water out. I'm looking for other opinions here.

I am a little annoyed since I just had it in a Workhorse shop for a front end alignment. You would think they would have noticed and taken care of the missing boot.

Thanks

Tom A. · 05-30-2005, 02:24 PM

I have a 2004 Allegro motorhome on a W20 Workhorse chassis. After crawling underneath and inspecting the front end, I noticed that the rubber grease boot is missing from the driver's side tie rod end. We are leaving on an 800 mile trip in a few days and can't really get into a workhorse shop. I've been told that as long as I keep this fitting well greased that I won't have a problem, since the boot is only there to keep dirt and water out. I'm looking for other opinions here.

I am a little annoyed since I just had it in a Workhorse shop for a front end alignment. You would think they would have noticed and taken care of the missing boot.

Thanks

**Petro** · 05-30-2005, 02:50 PM

Tom;
I have a W22 and my driver side grease boot is cracked and ready to fall off. I only have 17000 miles.

Don

Tom A. · 05-30-2005, 03:10 PM

Don,

Thanks for the reply... My passenger side boot has already been replaced because it was cracked. I have no idea where or when the driver's side one disappeared. Must be good quality parts they use. I only have 6,000 miles.

DriVer · 05-30-2005, 05:31 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom A.:
I have a 2004 Allegro motorhome on a W20 Workhorse chassis. After crawling underneath and inspecting the front end, I noticed that the rubber grease boot is missing from the driver's side tie rod end. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm sure your dealership will make a good effort to resolve this problem for you. If you call ahead to your destination perhaps you will be able to get service there. See the service center locater on workhorse.com.

If you have an existing boot that is cracked it would be fair to say that the fitting was over pressured with grease and the boor ruptured. These are rookie mistakes if you will.

Be assured that when a chassis leaves the floor in Union City, it has boots.

Tom A. · 05-31-2005, 02:47 AM

Driver,

Thanks for the input. I'm sure there were boots on the front end when the chassis left the factory. Looking at the replacement boot on the other side, it doesn't seem possible to fracture it by adding too much grease... It appears the excess would simply seep out.

I am missing the boot on the driver side... The other side was cracked in the past but has been replaced.

I checked the web site and there are only 3 servicing places in South Carolina and none close to Hilton Head Island, where we are heading. Do you think the lack of a boot will hurt anything as long as I keep the fitting well greased?

DriVer · 05-31-2005, 07:12 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom A.:
Do you think the lack of a boot will hurt anything as long as I keep the fitting well greased? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Keeping the joint greased will displace water and that will be your best bet until you get back.

Tom A. · 05-31-2005, 01:02 PM

Thanks Driver... Have grease gun, will travel! LOL

DriVer · 05-31-2005, 08:12 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tom A.:
Have grease gun, will travel! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>You must have Paladin flashbacks!

I carry a grease gun! How many other folks carry one in their gear as well?

Tom A. · 06-01-2005, 03:03 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">You must have Paladin flashbacks!

I carry a grease gun! How many other folks carry one in their gear as well? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ahhhh... You caught the reference! Careful, we're dating ourselves. LOL

I haven't carried a grease gun in the past but will from now on. I would have liked to do a few fittings while we were away for 6 months this past winter.

YosemiteBobR · 07-17-2005, 07:31 PM

You must remember that a lot of these chassis have been made ahead of time waiting for their coach to go on. They sit in the open with the elements at them sometimes for a year. It is then the coach manufactures job to check all these items out and replace if necessary. A lot of it is overlooked. This is true with some alternators as well that go bad early as well as the rubber boots. Not making excuses just the elements (a good pun)

Tom A. · 07-20-2005, 03:04 PM

YosemiteBobR,

Thanks for the reply. Dealer just replace both tie rod ends under warranty. They appeared to have slight cracks on one side. Of course new rubber boots came with the new ends. Glad I took it in.

Tom A. · 07-25-2005, 06:10 AM

Workhorse garage replaced both tie rod ends, and of course new boots came with the new parts. Work was done under warranty. But now the front end is pulling to the right and the steering wheel is not quite centered... Back to the garage we go! Why is there never time to do a job right but always time to do it over?