Started my suspension rebuild - a couple questions

[MikeyM]

Hey all,

Currently all front suspension components are off. I'm in the process of cleaning everything up so I can take all the parts to my buddies for blasting, then paint. Turns out my steering components are all good - tie rods, idler and pitman but the boots are toast. One question I had was on the idler arm - I'm not sure if it's OEM but the rubber on it was bad. What came off didn't really look like a boot but more like a thick rubber washer. Is that accurate? If attached a few photos below. Also, it looks like for all the steering components, I just need boots. Anyone have a good source for replacements?

Thanks,
Mikey

 

[Don Frelier]

I would be careful blasting any ball and socket parts with or without boots.

 

[MikeyM]

Thanks Don. I was thinking the same thing. I may not blast the TREs but if I do I was going to wrap the ball sockets in 2 plastic baggies with the ends taped tight and keep the media blast away from them as best I could. Now that I think about it, they're pretty clean now but probably Brakleen and a wire brush would be best with the ball sockets wrapped.

 

[gkent]

A twisted knot wire wheel in an angle grinder would work wonders on those parts that had boots.

There are no boots on the frame end of the idler arm - seals are used there. Not sure if they're available seperately.

 

[ckessel]

Correct size boots are not available anymore. MP/DC used to have them listed in the catalogs. Help/Dorman has some universal ones, the urethane bushing companies too.

 

[dvw]

I make the idler arm seals out of dense foam from craft stores. A piece of sharpened tube and a hammer will cut it.
Doug

 

[Kern Dog]

Correct size boots are not available anymore. MP/DC used to have them listed in the catalogs. Help/Dorman has some universal ones, the urethane bushing companies too.

The originals had a wire ring in the end that snapped around tie rod ends to keep grease in and other stuff out.
I don’t think they are reproduced. Kanter/PST will sell a kit with what’s essentially umbrella type seals that are not as good as originals but they do work. The downside is that you’ll need to grease the components at a tighter schedule to push out any grease that gets contaminated by dirt, grit or water intrusion.
Last summer I bought two boot/seal kits from PST but I think they call themselves Kanter now. PST was a site sponsor, I think they still go by that name.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Anyone have a good source for replacements

Rock Auto. And new parts complete with boots aren’t that expensive.