| Is it possible to say whether my outer tier rod is OK? No, not really. Bigger problem is you can't very easily get the tie rod off without destroying its boot. Getting the conventional tool from Pep Boys or Advanced Auto WILL destroy the tie rod boot. Are there other ways to get the tie rod off without mangling that boot? I don't know but maybe you'll get creative and post it. It'll take serious banging with a sledge one way or another. JMartz notes banging may not be the best approach but the way I see it it's either that or sacrifice the tie rod's life expectancy by destroying the boot in the process of replacing the ripped steering boot you have pictured. No easy solution to replacing that steering gear boot. I'm going through it now on the drivers side and in fact recommend changing BOTH at the same time because you'll have to get the car realigned afterwards (+$80). In my case I did the passenger side and then the drivers side ripped the next year. I'm considering not getting the car re-aligned for the second time but that's not the best idea. You'd have to weight that with the possibility of mangling two tie rod boots. What is the "ring" piece with the rubber backing in the middle of pic 3? Yes, it is supposed to be loose like that! Strange I know but it provides a stop when you turn the steering too far. Just very low tech.
OverZealous (CT)
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