Are the F53 chassis tie rod grease boots secured in some way?

[TT_Vert]

I always have filled the boot until i saw grease coming out of it. Well, I did that on my 95 F53 tie rod and it burst the boot. So now I need to get another but I'm curious if this boot is secured in some way to not allow the method, I usually use to fill them w/o blowing a hole in it if i'm not careful? How are you guys sourcing new tie rod grease boots? Anyone know the ID of the dust boot (top and bottom hole) and height off hand?

Thanks
Dave

[Americanrascal]

Mine are always problematic. The first one to go was the drag link boot. I think I remember you had to replace the entire tie rod as Ford didn't offer new stand alone replacement boots. I have also read several folks have been somewhat successful with boots off other chassis that might fit, but not sure which ones.

In my case I went with a silicone tape and re wrapped the boot to seal it and it has held well for several years now.

Will follow here for other suggestions.

[edge68474]

Id like to follow this as well. Thank you.

[TT_Vert]

Originally Posted by Americanrascal

Mine are always problematic. The first one to go was the drag link boot. I think I remember you had to replace the entire tie rod as Ford didn't offer new stand alone replacement boots. I have also read several folks have been somewhat successful with boots off other chassis that might fit, but not sure which ones.

In my case I went with a silicone tape and re wrapped the boot to seal it and it has held well for several years now.

Will follow here for other suggestions.

Thanks, they do make a universal boot but I want to see how they are secured or if just pressure sealed. if pressure, this thing was VERY sealed. I will likely just continue to keep it full of grease until I find what I need. I don't want to replace the tie rod as I don't want to have to get it aligned. If I can find a boot that'd be great, so if anyone knows the ID and height that'd help me in my quest to find a replacement.

I found what I think is the tie rod. These people are pretty proud of their part. Cannot make out how the boot is secured, if it's just a groove, pressure or a spring clip.

Jegs has this cheaper but rock auto is the cheapest.



Dave

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by TT_Vert

Thanks, they do make a universal boot but I want to see how they are secured or if just pressure sealed. if pressure, this thing was VERY sealed. I will likely just continue to keep it full of grease until I find what I need. I don't want to replace the tie rod as I don't want to have to get it aligned. If I can find a boot that'd be great, so if anyone knows the ID and height that'd help me in my quest to find a replacement.

I found what I think is the tie rod. These people are pretty proud of their part. Cannot make out how the boot is secured, if it's just a groove, pressure or a spring clip.

Jegs has this cheaper but rock auto is the cheapest.



Dave

The boot is secured the same way all automotive tie rod boots are retained. The boot slips over the tapered stud and then the stud is mated into the tapered hole in the mating component. It is held in place the same way a washer is held in place by the head of the bolt or nut.

On my 2018 F53 I have a couple of boots that have begun to split. Mechanic told me that in order to replace the boot you have to buy the entire tie rod end. I suppose that is best since once the boot fails there is nothing to keep grit from getting into the joint to cause wear.

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by DarkSideJeep

Mechanic told me that in order to replace the boot you have to buy the entire tie rod end. I suppose that is best since once the boot fails there is nothing to keep grit from getting into the joint to cause wear.

If the boot failed recently and you can clean out the old grease AND there is no play in the joint, just replacing the boot is just fine.

[TT_Vert]

Originally Posted by DarkSideJeep

The boot is secured the same way all automotive tie rod boots are retained. The boot slips over the tapered stud and then the stud is mated into the tapered hole in the mating component. It is held in place the same way a washer is held in place by the head of the bolt or nut.

On my 2018 F53 I have a couple of boots that have begun to split. Mechanic told me that in order to replace the boot you have to buy the entire tie rod end. I suppose that is best since once the boot fails there is nothing to keep grit from getting into the joint to cause wear.

Not all boots are secured the same way. Some are just pressure seated, some have a clip (A locking wire circlip often).

Originally Posted by wolfe10

If the boot failed recently and you can clean out the old grease AND there is no play in the joint, just replacing the boot is just fine.

Originally Posted by wolfe10

If the boot failed recently and you can clean out the old grease AND there is no play in the joint, just replacing the boot is just fine.

Yeah i burst the boot today, the joint is fine. If I kept it full it'd be fine forever to be honest, i'm just OCD like that.

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by TT_Vert

Not all boots are secured the same way. Some are just pressure seated, some have a clip (A locking wire circlip often).


Yeah i burst the boot today, the joint is fine. If I kept it full it'd be fine forever to be honest, i'm just OCD like that.

I do not recall seeing a clip of any kind on my F53 Chassis I'll go take a look after dinner and let you know what I see.

[SafariBen]

If it burst the boot, then it sure seems like it was wired on. I don't think you'll find the exact boot, but you could find one that would cover the gap mostly. How bad did it burst? since it's still clean inside, I'd wipe the grease off the exterior, and make a secondary layer with silicone caulk, it won't be pretty, might not even pass inspection, but it will keep the grease in and the dirt out. And stop greasing when you see movement of the boot next time.

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by DarkSideJeep

I do not recall seeing a clip of any kind on my F53 Chassis I'll go take a look after dinner and let you know what I see.

Here is a photo on one of my tie rod end. The is the best angle I could get without jacking it up. I do not see anything that looks like an external retaining clip or ring.

[TT_Vert]

Originally Posted by DarkSideJeep

Here is a photo on one of my tie rod end. The is the best angle I could get without jacking it up. I do not see anything that looks like an external retaining clip or ring.

Yeah i went out and took a look and measured. It is pressure fit. Here are the dimensions for anyone else in my boat. Now I need to go find one.

Base:1.747"
Pin: .710"
Height: 1"

[TT_Vert]

This boot should work and it comes from a mustang ball joint. It for sure fits the fox body mustangs which are super plentiful (87-93) so this is a good sign.

Ball Joint Dust Boots - Ford Mustang - Prothane 191723

And here they are on amazon for less than $5 for two

[TT_Vert]

Well for anyone who cares the mustang balljoint dust boot worked fine. Not ideal but it holds grease which is all it has to do. The only real difference is that the OE dust boot has about a 1/8" base that seats down onto the tierod whereas this one just uses a taper seal. it works but not exactly like OEM. These are less that $5 for 2 though..

[GypsyR]

Nice!
I have an old car that I put new tie rods ends on. Two years later I found one new boot had split and fell on the garage floor and the other was on its way. This was on a restoration project that never moved from that spot in that time. Companies like Energy Suspension and Prothane sell replacement boots made of urethane instead of rubber. Took a bit of doing to find some that weren't a gaudy bright red color but it's fifteen years later and they still look new. Such boots are now my go-to on similar cars that I plan to keep for years and years. (I'm not a Concours restoration type.)