BigELilE05@msn.com wrote in news:1140043372.164043.220560
@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:

> Putting on new brake pads today and noticed on the drivers side that
> the (whatever you call it, tie-rod?) had a busted boot and the grease
> knuckles rubber was also busted.
>
> This is the link that actually turns the left front wheel. Sorry I'm
> don't have a clue what parts are called on front wheel drives. If we
> were talking RWD it would be a tie-rod.
>
> Anyway, can just the boot and the grease fitting rubber be replaced or
> do I have to replace the entire link. I'm assuming I can replace the
> boot on the inner part of the link but the outer part with the grease
> fitting will have to be replaced?
>
> Is this a do-it-yourself-er or do I need to take to someone?
>
> I have a "fork" to break the outer joint loose but w/o further
> inspection I couldn't really tell about the inner part. Looks like it
> connected directly to the steering shaft.
>
>

Sounds like a tie rod. Directly connects the rack to the little arm on
the spindle. The boot's part of the steering rack (if you're talking
about the boot that covers the thing connected to the tie rod). On the
civic, replacing the boot's pretty easy because, you just disconnect the
steering wheel joint (under the dash) , unbolt some bolts and the rack
will drop down to the limits of the PS lines. Then you use pliers on the
Band-it style clamps, take off the boot and replace (tie rod's got to
come off first of course). You can of course take the rack out but, the
PS lines are a major pain in the ass. Worst job I EVER did on a honda.

Hmm come to thing of it, If I did it over again, I think I'd disconnect
from the pump and just feed the lines out the bottom so I could get at
them easier.

The tie rod just unscrews from the rack so, it's even easier to replace.
Make sure you measure the threads to get the new one on pretty close so,
you can drive it to a shop for an alignment. As soon as you disconnect
the tie rod, it's new alignment time.

While Honda wants nearly a grand for a rack, online junk yards sell them
for nearly nothing. I have a couple civic ones in my shed.

Majestic honda is the place to order part. My dealer charges 30% over
MSRP for parts. Majestic charges 30% UNDER MSRP for parts. They have
parts blowups too so, you can actually see the parts you're ordering.