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5th gen inner tie rod end boot - possible to replace without re-doing alignment
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2022 6:06 pm
by Anzezaf
This car is driving me nuts.. It hasn't been half a year since my last alignment and I've now noticed a broken boot on my steering rack - inner tie rod end boot.
It looks like the boot could be replaced without taking the tie rods apart and screwing up my alignment? Anyone done it?
5th gen inner tie rod end boot - possible to replace without re-doing alignment
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2022 6:54 pm
by vanzep
Think your best to take the tie rod end off - the rack end boot is very narrow at the outer end and dont see how you could get that over the track rod end - just count the number of turns to unscrew it and use same number of turns to put it back in place. I have had to replace the boot on both 4th and 5th gen. Had two different garages - on 4th gen i had to take it for an alignment after and on 5th gen didnt have - so it is a bit of a lottery. If your doing the job yourself you can drive the car and see if it is pulling to one side or not before deciding to fork out for an alignment.
5th gen inner tie rod end boot - possible to replace without re-doing alignment
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2022 8:14 pm
by Scott560
I had my inner tie rod boot replace for the yearly MOT test.
They have to remove it - i did not get an alignment afterwards. They took care to get it back close as possible and test drove it to be sure. I can't tell any difference so unless you have brand new tyres or it feels off afterwards, tracking might not be needed.