Has anyone found a source for replacement tie rod boots? My original tie rods are in good condition, but the boots are not....all I could find on the web are polyurethane boots. I'm looking for stock-appearing rubber boots. Thanks!
Thanks George!...I finally made it to my 'local' auto parts store...25 minutes away....'Help' ,aka, Motormite, does have them, but they look cheesy. Especially when they have 'CHINA' molded into them in big letters. :rant: Anyobne else have a source? o No:
Tough one....I had to keep searching until I found enough to get four good original style ones. Nobody makes the correct style anymore as far as I know. Even the new rod ends come with cheesy foam seals, should last about 1 year... Later Tim
I cannot believe these are not available!! I even consulted the 'it's gotta be perfect, or it's worthless' guys on a Corvette site....and found this: http://www.ncrs.org/forum/archive13.cgi?review=82002 Quote>>>If you are using original GM tie rod ends, the configuration of the boots are different than those used on aftermarket-type tie rod ends. The aftermarket ones won't fit properly. A little-known fact is that although the tie rod ends used from 1963 through 1982 were all the same, the 63-64 versions used a different seal than the 65-82. The 63-64 seal was smaller and was more of a "chinese coullee hat" configuration. It held little grease. The 65-82 seal fit down over the body of the tie rod end and formed a "resevoir" for grease. Both the 63-64 seal, GM #3687643, and the 65-82 seal, GM #3826598, were once available seperately from GM (unlike 65-82 ball joint seals which were NEVER available seperately). However, both have been discontinued for years and I know of no current source for them. You might check with Long Island Corvette Supply. Primarily, they are a 63-67 Corvette part source, but, since these seals you need were also used for 65-67 Corvettes, they may have them. <<<< end Quote It may be time to hit the junkyard....At least some '82's should be in better shape than my '66's....
boots Walt... I think I have a couple of tie rod boots...from when I replaced my front end. I used polyurethane boots, instead of the rubber ones. If I can I will check tonight. And give you a pic. Tom :TU:
tie rod boots This is all I could find.. The two on the left are original boots... The two on the right are new boots (notice the nubs)... The one in the back is a polyurethane boot.... Don't know if this will help you or not. Tom :TU:
Wow, thanks Tom! The polyurethane boots do look different than the originals....too bad. Where did you get the 'new' rubber boots? I do have some old ones laying around, but it's alot of work getting them off, and especially...cleaning them. If I can find new, I'd rather go that route.
boots Walt, The new rubber boots were part of a front end package that I purchased from Kanter.... I don't know if you can buy them separately? o No: Tom :TU:
