[blau iii]

Hi,

Can anyone point me to a DIY on how to replace the steering rack boot? My passenger side boot is torn and I'm trying to fix it before too much crap builds up in there and I have to replace the whole rack.

Can I do this without requiring an alignment after?

Any special tools?

Apparently I can't spell and you can't edit titles... Torn, not town.

[The Nightman]

Tie rod boot? You'll have to remove the outer tie rod to replace the boot. If you mark it carefully you could get away without an alignment.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=791726

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...eplacement.htm

[blau iii]

Originally Posted by freedomfries

Tie rod boot? You'll have to remove the outer tie rod to replace the boot. If you mark it carefully you could get away without an alignment.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=791726

https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tec...eplacement.htm

Thanks, it's the boot that is attached to the steering rack.

[Emilime75]

Yes, that's the inner tie rod boot which also connects to your steering rack. Looks like a cylidrical accordion. It's cheap and on the easy side of difficulty to DIY. Look up How-To's and videos on replacing the tie rods, and how to replace that boot will become clear.

[blau iii]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

Yes, that's the inner tie rod boot which also connects to your steering rack. Looks like a cylidrical accordion. It's cheap and on the easy side of difficulty to DIY. Look up How-To's and videos on replacing the tie rods, and how to replace that boot will become clear.

yup, ordered and received the new one. I looked at a few DIYs and this seems straightforward enough (i've done Control arms and struts before). How sensitive are these cars regarding the alignment? I understand how to mark it but if i'm a few mm off, will it shred my tires?

[Emilime75]

Maybe, maybe not...just get it aligned. Even if you manage to get the tie rod back on exactly where it was, just driving the car over time knocks the alignment out of spec.

[blau iii]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

Maybe, maybe not...just get it aligned. Even if you manage to get the tie rod back on exactly where it was, just driving the car over time knocks the alignment out of spec.

that's what i thought. damnit, i just got an alignment last week after doing my shocks/struts.

[Emilime75]

Well, of it's only been a week, I'd probably just be really careful and make sure it goes back on exactly where it was. The rest of it should be good, unless you've hit some large potholes or impacted the steering/suspension components during that week.