Ruptured Seal, Now What?

[a_alyte]

I was under my Jeep today & noticed that two of my rubber seals were ruptured as a result of there being too much grease in them!

I had Valvoline change my diff fluids a few months ago & I believe they did it when they lubed my chasis. It does pay to do things yourself!

Is there any products available that would seal the ruptured area, or should it be OK as long as I keep as much grease in them as possible?

I noticed the rupture on the end of my drag link (near the tire) & on my tie-rod (the part connected to the drag link).

[ByronP]

If the seals are really blown then they will need to be replaced. They will wear faster and you don't really want anything involving the steering to go out on you while driving. I don't know of any product that will seal them once they've been blown out.
ByronP

[a_alyte]

I wouldn't describe the seal as being blown, but I would say the seal has a tear in it, allowing the grease to come out!

I'll look into replacing them because I know it will only get worse over time!

Thanks for comments.

[a_alyte]

One last question about this, does the whole drag link or tie rod have to be replaced, or is it possible to just replace the torn seal?

[JDPascal]

Originally Posted by a_alyte

I wouldn't describe the seal as being blown, but I would say the seal has a tear in it, allowing the grease to come out!

I'll look into replacing them because I know it will only get worse over time!

Thanks for comments.

Most of the boots on tierod ends and such have a bleed hole for excess grease to get out.

If yours is actually torn, I would squeese the boot to get rid of some more grease and then clean it off really good and inspect it with a good light. if the tear is not too long, rough the rubber up with a coarse sandpaper and clean it with brake cleaner then put a thin coat of black RTV silicone over the area around the tear.

Greasing tie rods ball joints and u-joints is a simple thing really. All you need to be able to do is count to ONE. Thats right, ONE pump of grease from a hand grease gun is all that 99.9% of joints need every oil change!!! If you leave greasing for several oil changes MAYBE two pumps are ok.

When you pump - LISTEN for the crackle sound of the grease flowing into the small clearances of the joint. When you hear the crackle, you for sure have enough and two pumps is more than enough to crackle the joint.

Most of these "quick lube" places pump away with the air power like they are putting whipcream on a cup of hot chocolate.

If you do have to replace them, some types of joints have the boot listed as separate part #'s - just depends on where you look.......

JD

[a_alyte]

That's a very good idea, JD. I'll try the RTV Silicone because I don't believe the tear is that big!

I will also adhere to the one pump method for every oil change.

We learn something new everday!

Thanks again.