I just bought a 91 Camry and noticed this past weekend that the tierod dustboot on the passenger side is split all the way around in 2 different locations. I called the shop where I usally purchase my tires and described it to them. They suggested not bothering with it.

Do you guys agree with that?

I was thinking about replacing it myself. How hard is it to get the ball joint out without damaging it? Would any special tools be required?

If I could do it myself the job would cost me about $90, $10 for the boot and $80 for alignment.

Thanks

 

I think the shop was right, i wouldnt bother trying to fix the boot itself. Even if you could get just the boot you'd still have to beat it apart and replace it. If you do all that, might as well change the tie rod unless its got very few miles (under 50k i would say).

They're not hard to change (tie rod ends). You can just change the end with the split if the other end seems ok (not too much wiggle when you yank back and forth on it. There will be some wobble on any used front end part (the tighter, the less wear). But it shouldnt be excessive, or really easy to wiggle and there for sure should be no noise as you wiggle it.)

You will just need to buy a new tie rod end, and a pickle fork to beat the tie rod end loose.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...pecialty+Tools
Pickle forks are not expensive. (Harbor freight has em dirt cheap but i couldnt find them on their site even though i bought mine from them).

Remove the cotter pin and nut, grease the pickle fork, shove it in and hammer on end of the fork till the tie rod pops loose.
JUST REMEMBER one thing and you may not have to align the front end! AS YOU UNScrew the tie rod end, CAREFULLY count the number of complete turns it takes to come off! Then just screw the new one on the same number of turns. And your alignment should be unaffected by changing this part.