ripped tie rod end boot - replacement options

[EOD-5]

arite, so ive been slowly losing PS fluid for a few days, never saw any leak at all so i thought maybe it was just low and kept filling it up a bit

but today was a big leak under my pass side wheel and oil all over the fender lining and my pass side of my car

jacked it up and the boot on the tie rod is split open....

question:

can i just replace the boot or does the whole tie rod have to be changed? ive checked ECS and they dont have just boots and the tie rod itself appears to be fine....

i used about a roll of duct tape for now to "seal it"

thanks

[Nebone]

If the rest of the tie rod is good, as in no plat in it, then just replace the end.

I have one I can sell you cheap.

[EOD-5]

If the rest of the tie rod is good, as in no plat in it, then just replace the end.

I have one I can sell you cheap.

the tie rod is fine, the boot is ripped

i just called a local audi repair shop and they said that the boot wont be the problem , b/c it wouldnt leak anything

they said that it sounds like the seal on the steering rack is bad and the whole thing needs replacing

is this correct?

[A4euro]

dude, I think your looking at the Axle. If the boot on the Axle ripped, then, yes, you'd have grease all over your wheel area. And I mean grease, gnasty stuff that you're not just going to wipe off with one paper towel. You can replace just the boot, but it's the same job to just replace the whole axle and a lot less headache. Look for the write up on Audiworld on how to do it. I'd recommend using lock-tite for your inner bolts that mate up to the trans.
p.s. tie rods don't leak anything and if you take your wheel off, your tie rod should be right near your head near the upper control arms
Good luck.....its an easy yet slightly messy job.

[Nebone]

When the seal on the steering rack goes, the rack goes. Does your leak come from the large bendable boot on the steering rack?

Have the shop inspect this.

[EOD-5]

dude, I think your looking at the Axle. If the boot on the Axle ripped, then, yes, you'd have grease all over your wheel area. And I mean grease, gnasty stuff that you're not just going to wipe off with one paper towel. You can replace just the boot, but it's the same job to just replace the whole axle and a lot less headache. Look for the write up on Audiworld on how to do it. I'd recommend using lock-tite for your inner bolts that mate up to the trans.
p.s. tie rods don't leak anything and if you take your wheel off, your tie rod should be right near your head near the upper control arms
Good luck.....its an easy yet slightly messy job.

nope im looking at the tie rods

the boot is ripped on it

im guessing the steering rack seal blew, thus letting PS fluid leak into the boot, thus flooding the boot, and it then burst...and now its leaking everywhere

i think the rack needs replacing

[Mike@PureMS]

Are you referring to the Steering Rack boot (long accordian looking piece) or the Tie Rod end Boot (small rubber cover on the the very end of the ball joint of the tie rod end)?

Steering rack boots are sold separately and available.
Tie rod end boots are not sold separately, and can only be replaced with a new tie rod end.

We've got updated Febi-Bilstein tie rod ends at a great price here.
Febi TRE

[EOD-5]

Are you referring to the Steering Rack boot (long accordian looking piece) or the Tie Rod end Boot (small rubber cover on the the very end of the ball joint of the tie rod end)?

Steering rack boots are sold separately and available.
Tie rod end boots are not sold separately, and can only be replaced with a new tie rod end.

We've got updated Febi-Bilstein tie rod ends at a great price here.
Febi TRE

im talking about the long accordion piece

however ive been told the whole rack is shot because it shouldnt be leaking fluid (of course)

[onemoremile]

Sounds like the rack seal is gone.

[$teady$upreme]

I just replaced my steering rack with new tie rod ends, the passenger side seal worn out.

[Nebone]

He must mean the accordian boot. It will start squeeling soon so get ready to shell out some cash.