replace relay arm/drag link boot?

[Deb]

Hi guys. Quick question here. The boot at the relay arm/drag link is split in my coach. I have her going to a new home shortly and would like to
get this sorted before she leaves.
My question is - can this boot be replaced? Or does the whole drag link have to be replaced? Or is there actually a "ball-joint, bearing, etc" that
can be replaced without have to do the entire drag-link?

She's going into my local, trusted shop early next week for the front to back check over, and a LOF before she leaves, and I would like to know what I
can expect, or if they can't get needed parts, can the buyer continue on until he get to his destination, if he stops and lubes the crap out of that
joint (heading from Washington state to Massachusetts)? And/Or put something over the split as a temporary bandaid to help keep grease in and dirt
out??

Thanks in advance for your help. Cheers Deb
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[scott nutter1]

Hi Deb.
Is this the dust boot up on the splined shaft above the steering box? If it is, it can be replaced. But make sure to put alignment marks on all the
parts to be removed so they can be reassembled in the same manner. My boot broke on a trip and I drove about 1,000 miles home with no damage(that I
know of)but I greased it at the 500 mile mark.
Good luck. Scott.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas

 

[bdub]

The joint will have to be taken apart to replace the boot. I don't know
which one to get to use on it though.
https://www.google.com/search?q=tie+rod+boot+kit&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS756US757&oq=tie+rod+boot&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j0l7.11167j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

bdub

On Mon, Jul 27, 2020 at 1:29 PM Deb McWade via Gmclist <

> Hi guys. Quick question here. The boot at the relay arm/drag link is
> split in my coach. I have her going to a new home shortly and would like to
> get this sorted before she leaves.
> My question is - can this boot be replaced? Or does the whole drag link
> have to be replaced? Or is there actually a "ball-joint, bearing, etc" that
> can be replaced without have to do the entire drag-link?
>
> She's going into my local, trusted shop early next week for the front to
> back check over, and a LOF before she leaves, and I would like to know what
> I
> can expect, or if they can't get needed parts, can the buyer continue on
> until he get to his destination, if he stops and lubes the crap out of that
> joint (heading from Washington state to Massachusetts)? And/Or put
> something over the split as a temporary bandaid to help keep grease in and
> dirt
> out??
>

 

[Ken H.]

Deb,

I think everyone's latched onto the more common boot problem on the
steering column. I THINK you're talking about that on the joint at the
bottom of the steering box arm. If so, yes, that's readily available at
any parts store. However, since it's a generic part, the best way to get
the right one is to take along the old one. For what it's worth, a few
thousand miles with it busted probably won't hurt anything.

Ken H.

On Mon, Jul 27, 2020 at 2:29 PM Deb McWade via Gmclist <

> Hi guys. Quick question here. The boot at the relay arm/drag link is
> split in my coach. I have her going to a new home shortly and would like to
> get this sorted before she leaves.
> My question is - can this boot be replaced? Or does the whole drag link
> have to be replaced? Or is there actually a "ball-joint, bearing, etc" that
> can be replaced without have to do the entire drag-link?
>
> She's going into my local, trusted shop early next week for the front to
> back check over, and a LOF before she leaves, and I would like to know what
> I
> can expect, or if they can't get needed parts, can the buyer continue on
> until he get to his destination, if he stops and lubes the crap out of that
> joint (heading from Washington state to Massachusetts)? And/Or put
> something over the split as a temporary bandaid to help keep grease in and
> dirt
> out??
>
> Thanks in advance for your help. Cheers Deb
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

 

[Deb]

Hi Ken. Yes I think we’re talking about the same thing. It’s the joint between the relay arm below the steering box and the drag link.
I think it can go as is, if the guys at the shop can’t do anything next week. If it can’t be replaced right now, since it isn’t “load
bearing” as if it was suspension ball joints, I think we can get by with covering the split, and or give it a fresh shot of grease once or twice
across the country.
BTW, I‘ve put him onto your wiper conversion, while you’re still in the “business”.
Thanks for the help. Deb
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[Bruce Hart]

Deb, just a few boots available from Napa, other part stores will have them
as well.
Generic Tie rod Boot

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?q=Nty%3D1%26N%3D2500071%2B2607105%2B2815971%26Score%3D0.9&referer=plp&partTypeName=Dust%20and%20Grease%20Boot%20-%20Steering%20Component&keywordInput=tie%20rod%20boots&scene=partTypesScene2&fullyQualified=true

On Mon, Jul 27, 2020 at 6:20 PM Deb McWade via Gmclist <

> Hi Ken. Yes I think we’re talking about the same thing. It’s the joint
> between the relay arm below the steering box and the drag link.
> I think it can go as is, if the guys at the shop can’t do anything next
> week. If it can’t be replaced right now, since it isn’t “load
> bearing” as if it was suspension ball joints, I think we can get by with
> covering the split, and or give it a fresh shot of grease once or twice
> across the country.
> BTW, I‘ve put him onto your wiper conversion, while you’re still in the
> “business”.
> Thanks for the help. Deb
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Bruce Hart
1976 Palm Beach
Milliken, Co
GMC=Got More Class

 

[Deb]

Thank you folks. Sounds like it should be fairly straight-forward. If they can’t get hold of the correct boot next week, I’m surethe new owner
will be ableto sort it out shortly there after.
Cheers.
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!

 

[Matt Colie]

> Thank you folks. Sounds like it should be fairly straight-forward. If they can’t get hold of the correct boot next week, I’m surethe new
> owner will be ableto sort it out shortly there after.
> Cheers.

Deb,

Taking a page from old timers, if you can't get a boot and get it installed. Have your guys grease it and wrap it in plastic. This is a bit of
history, before the modern era, such joint were protected with either a fabric or leather boot that was laced/tied in place.

Be sure to print a copy of the Black List to pass to the new owner and advise him to hook up with the NorEasters as soon as he has a chance.

And, be sure to tell him all about both forums.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[Deb]

Matt, I had thought that same thing - a couple of layers of Cling/Saran wrap should be enough to keep things in good shape for a while if we can't get
a boot on there.
My new owner is aware of the Black List, and I will print off a copy to take back with him, if he hasn't already done so, he will be changing the
registration with Billy, and already knows one or two folks out in the eastern climes. I'm pretty sure he will be joining up with one of his local
chapters, or more!
--
Deb McWade
Logan Lake, BC, CAN
"Li'l Sister"
'77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
TZE167V101404
It's Bigger on the Inside!