I've been looking for options to protect my rod-ends from the elements and road debris lately. I've read a few posts about boots to completely cover the rod end but the closest I've been able to find are Seals-It protectors which simply do not seem adequate. I've searched for a while now and can't seem to come up with a search term for a store that sells these sorts of things. The offroad stores don't seem to carry anything other than seals-it either.

Anyone have anything better I can pick up online? I'd like a boot that completely seals the end if anyone knows where I could find something like that.

 

I don't know about completely sealing the ends, but I have read about people using tie rod boots and the like and packing them with grease. Although I don't have rod ends (yet) so I haven't tried it.

 

Purchase some Neoprene sheet and wrap the entire end. Will keep alot of the gunk out, mat work even better with the above too!

 

when i got the es bushing kit it came with boot end covers. they don't fit the greatest but they do do the trick.

 

Those were for the Tie rods, not rod ends.

 

I found ONE company that makes something similar to what I'm looking for but I don't know if they're in business at all anymore since they're not in the phone book... Anyone know about these guys/live in Phoenix and can pay them a visit?

 

I just take the tie rod boots, chill them so they’re a little stiffer and then grind them to shape with a carbide burr in a die grinder so that they slip over the sleeve covering up the sides of the rod end and fill them with grease before slipping them in the pockets and bolting them down.

FWIW, I’ve never replaced a rod end on any of the parts that I’ve done like that, considering that I’ve got rod ends on the PHR on the car that I drive most winters and we do see some salt and other crap on the roads, that is saying something.

 

That's something to think about then. I'll see how these Seals-It deals hold up to a road trip then look into the tie rod boots.

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...es/sealsit.php

 

Yea that's exactly where I got them from. They work well?

Seems like no one talks about the little things like this, dozens of 'which rod end is the best' threads but none about how to protect them after they're on