93 Civic Tierod Boot Replacement

How difficult is it to install Honda replacement boots on 93 Civic tie
rod ends? I bought some aftermarket urethane boots, but I don't like
the fit. Tie rods and ball joints are still tight, but the dust boots
are badly cracked. The shop manual shows a special tool for getting
the boot over the body of the tie rod. Is the tool neccesary or can I
do this by hand?

-RC

 

it's not difficult - simply remove the ball joint end.

isn't that sufficient reason to stick with oem? besides, urethane may
be stronger, but it's not more fatigue resistant.

which "shop manual"? it's surely not the honda manual. the job is easy
and needs no special tools other than a ball joint separator. unless
you are very careful, you will need to do an alignment afterwards.

 

Yes that is sufficient reason to go with oem. I expected the urethane
product to have a good fit, which it doesn't. Tie rod life would be
shortened.

Yes it is. It shows a "Ball Joint Boot Clip Guide 07974-SA50800" used
for installing the replacement boot. That's why I'm asking before I
order replacement oem boots. It doesn't sound like I need the special
tool, so it's curious that Honda would show it.

Does the same go for replacing the ball joint boots? Ball joints are
tight, but the lower boots are shot.

I've gotta pop the lower ball joint to replace the half shafts. I've
never noticed a change in alignment after doing this operation. The
tie rods however were unscrewed to get to the sterring rack boots. The
car will neeed the toe set at minimum. I've done that in the past with
a laser pointer on my garage wall. Everything else I take to the
corner alignment machine.

Same deal with the rack boots. Aftermarket were completely wrong size,
so I went with oem. ( I went with aftermarket at first because they
were available that day. OEM was special order.)

Thanks for the quick feedback.

-RC

R.Clarke
"What traffic?"
RTP, NC, USA DoD#5811

 

that is for the ball joints, not the tie rod.

ymmv, but i've been able to successfully replace those boots without a
lot of problem and no special tool. i'm not sure the tool makes it
easier though, and i'm also how easy it is to buy those boot separately.
i got mine from a junk yard.

unless you live in the rust belt and have some extraordinary high
mileage on your vehicle, honda ball joint boots are usually very
reliable. if they have "failed", it's usually because someone has use a
pickle fork separator on them, not the proper tool. pickle forks always
damage boots. always.

tegger tells you what you need:

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/disconnect.html

indeed, it's the tie rod where it's a concern.

if you're careful and know what you're doing, you can indeed replace the
tie rod boots without realignment. that's not most people though. it's
usually worth getting it done just to ensure everything is good.

you're welcome.

if your lower ball joint boots are shot, you might want to consider
replacing the joints completely. once crud enters under the boot, the
wear rate is greatly accelerated so chances are they're on their way out.

 

edit munging:

"i'm sure the tool makes it easier though, and i'm also /not/ sure how
easy it is to buy those boots separately."

 

It is in the tie rod section and it shows a picture of the tool being
used on a tie rod end.

-RC
R.Clarke
"What traffic?"
RTP, NC, USA DoD#5811

 

These aren't pickle fork rips. They are fatigue cracks.

-RC

R.Clarke
"What traffic?"
RTP, NC, USA DoD#5811

 

language - no tool for the steering rack boot, just the ball joint boot.
as i say, i've changed them without the tool before...

 

That's great info. I'll order the tie rod and ball joint boots from
Honda and won't sweat the special tools part of the manual.

Thanks,
-RC
R.Clarke
"What traffic?"
RTP, NC, USA DoD#5811