Tie Rod boot cover Question

[dirvine]

Some time ago I had the passenger side tie rod replaced. Just recently I noticed grease or oil stain was leaking out past the larger opening end of the boot. The clip (it looks like a zip tie) is slightly tight but loose enough to slip around. None of the other clips slip. Should I just use a zip tie I have and should the tightness be so tight there is no slippage. Also should I squeeze some grease (oil) in there, and if yes what type of grease (oil) is it. Service manual does not specify what is used inside the boot. TIA. David

[Eric SDV6SE]

Can you take it back to where they fitted it? Clearly they have not tightened / fitted the clip correctly.

I would be zip-tying it up tight to stop dirt getting in ASAP. A squeeze of quality bearing grease should be O.K. imho.

[RANDLOVER]

Some time ago I had the passenger side tie rod replaced. Just recently I noticed grease or oil stain was leaking out past the larger opening end of the boot. The clip (it looks like a zip tie) is slightly tight but loose enough to slip around. None of the other clips slip. Should I just use a zip tie I have and should the tightness be so tight there is no slippage. Also should I squeeze some grease (oil) in there, and if yes what type of grease (oil) is it. Service manual does not specify what is used inside the boot. TIA. David

If it is similar to the ones the use on the CV boots, they are metal and look like a zip tie, the way to tighten them is they have a protruding fold/hump, and this has to be squeezed at the base to make it protrude even further, there pro'ly is a special tool, but something like a pincer should work.

[dirvine]

The ones on the drivers side look like the clips you use on a gardening watering system that squeeze together and have a ratcheting effect. They do not slide around. The one I had replaced was DEFINATELY a zip tie but not tightened enough. I have pumped in a bit more bearing grease, cleaned the rubber and metal surfaces and used a thick cable tie. It now does not slip and I am keeping a eye on the area to see if there is any leaks.

[theelms66]

Are we talking about a drive shaft boot or a steering tie rod boot,because I struggle to see how you can get a big cable tie on a tie rod.

[dirvine]

Tie rod steering arm boots. One end is small 13mm diameter or therabouts ie on the shaft, the other end is about 90mm in diameter. This is the one that was leaking

[DiscoJeffster]

Tie rod steering arm boots. One end is small 13mm diameter or therabouts ie on the shaft, the other end is about 90mm in diameter. This is the one that was leaking

Photos are awesome

[theelms66]

Tie rod steering arm boots. One end is small 13mm diameter or therabouts ie on the shaft, the other end is about 90mm in diameter. This is the one that was leaking

Ah. Your talking about the steering rack boot. Yes dry both surfaces and cable tie is fine. If you have fluid leaking there,your rack is nackered.