Does a Broken Tie Rod Ball Joint Boot Need to Be Replaced?

[McLillian]

Yes, a broken tie rod ball joint boot needs to be replaced. Below are the issues caused by a broken tie rod ball joint boot: 1. It can lead to oil leakage and loosening of the ball joint: Both the ball joint and the boot need to be replaced; the boot cannot be replaced separately. Regularly check if the ball joint is loose by inspecting the size of its gap. Shake the wheel left and right with your hands—if there is no gap, the wheel should not move. If the ball joint is loose, the wheel will be able to move left and right, and you will clearly feel the gap. Once a gap is detected, the ball joint should be replaced promptly. 2. It can cause the internal grease to leak out: When the grease leaks, the insufficient lubrication inside will lead to excessive wear and premature damage of the tie rod ball joint. Cracks or oil leakage in the dust boots of steering ball joints, lower control arm ball joints, stabilizer bar ball joints, etc., can accelerate ball joint wear, reducing the vehicle's handling, comfort, and safety during use. In severe cases, it may even lead to vehicle accidents.