I got a 92 Civic LX with 183,000 miles on it. I had both front Tie Rod Ends(Outer)replaced about 3 months ago. For the last 3 months I have been tuning up the car little-by-little & noticing a small rubber boot on the driver's side Tie Rod End that was tearing more & more as I drove the car over the course of weeks.

Today I went to do a oil change myself & saw the rubber boot was just hanging off the Outer Tie Rod End. I looked up what this rubber boot was called & it's a "Dust Boot" to make sure dust & crap don't get into the greased joint.

I couldn't get a pic when I saw it but here's what the part looks like online..It's the rubber piece that's hanging off:



I'm not too familiar with anything but the engine of a car...But is there a way to just order the rubber boot & do it myself? Also..how hard/easy is it to replace something like that?


Just for the record.....I got the Tie Rod Ends from Precision Auto Care(and Rack & Pinion as well) with a 50,000 mile warranty. I'm still within the Warranty BUT I don't trust Precision anymore. Due to the fact they messed up my alignment when the Rack/Pinion & Tie Rod Ends were installed by them. I called them back up to tell them my alignment is out of whack..and they said "we don't do alignments". Why install something if you can't adjust it? That's like a tire shop selling you 4 tires then says.."We don't put air in the tires."

Sorry for the small rant but it's ridiculous.

P.S: alignment still outta whack...

 

If your alignment is already out of whack then what's the worst that could happen by going to that shop again and getting your FREE new tie rod end?