1 month ago I noticed the dust boot was cracked. I checked it today and it was gone. I will just pull this side of the tie rod end out and put a new dust boot on.

Question: will pulling this out and putting it back in mess up my alignment?
I dont think so but I just want to be sure.

 

if your just taking off the cotter pin and the nut you wont mess up the alignment. if your taking the tie rod end off the rack then you will mess up the alignment

 

Replace the grease too while your at it, you hopefully didn't do much damage or comtaminate the grease that much, but you should fully push all the old stuff out with new stuff.

 

As long as the tie rod adjusters are not moved I dont think it will alter the alignment at all.

 

Pretty spindle..

 

pop the pin and nut off, hammer a pickle fork in between to seperate, wipe off excess crap, install dust boot and insert back into spindle with nut and NEW cotterpin. Would move a thing on the alignment.

 

Its Done, I pumped it out with lots of grease. I almost drove in the rain today before I remembered to swap it. All I had on hand was a used boot from the old tie rod end, it cleaned up good and seemed ok. Seem to ride the same.
thanks