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The boot on my Rancho 5000 steering stabilizer keeps getting torn up, the stabilizer that came with the truck was unknown and did not have a boot on it so I am trying to figure out how to fix this issue. I do take the truck offroad so I would like the boot to stay sealed up if possible, any thoughts?
It looks to me like something chewed that boot up. Not sure if it is just the angle of the photography, but it looks like the boot is rubbing the parts above it...if so, you will never be able to keep a boot alive on it.
Every stabilizer I ran without a boot was immediately damaged by flying rocks (Colorado) and began to leak as the damaged shaft went past the oil seal. We also don't have a water/rust issue here, so I attached a boot to my OEM-style stabilizer, and they now last longer because the chrome shaft is not getting hammered by rocks. YMMV, but this works for me. In the OP's case, the stabilizer seems to be a much larger diameter than the OEM, and thus rubs on the tie rod. Not sure if there's a fix for that.
The boot on my Rancho 5000 steering stabilizer keeps getting torn up, the stabilizer that came with the truck was unknown and did not have a boot on it so I am trying to figure out how to fix this issue. I do take the truck offroad so I would like the boot to stay sealed up if possible, any thoughts?
My thought... being sideways, water and debris WILL get in the boot and stay sloshing around and cause issues on the shaft. imo remove the boot
I drive on everything. (I have replaced damaged/rusted fenders and doors and bed wheel wells, with inserts)
If one is planning on doing a lot of 'Off Road', Keeping your steering stabilizer in pristine condition for very long is not a high priority. the boot will get tore up. Part of the fun is repairing 'stuff'' that breaks. Mine did not come with a boot and when I replaced the steering stabilizer a few years back, it did not come with a boot. If you want your stabilizer boot kept is better condition, don't drive and keep it in the garage (by the picture it is questionable about the design of the boot, as a lot of the boot looks to rub on the axle). another option is too wrap it up in hundred mile an hour duck tape. Seems not to be worried about 'looks' as that boot will continue to be 'ate up'.
The OPs name is BeachCamper250,
Every beach that I have driven on has a lot of sand, (why does a ton of sand seem to end up on my inside floor boards and tracked into the camper? because sand this on the beach and I and the Fam is on the beach.) sand bouncing around in a rubber boot, sliding across a metal rod, into a pressure tube.... something is going to get ate up.
wrap it up in hundred mile an hour duck tape. Seems not to be worried about 'looks' as that boot will continue to be 'ate up'.