Well, after going to the dealer with a "going bad" alternator and taking advantage of the recall on the 4th genalternators--haha...all FREE! ....I was given a LONG list of stuff "needing" repairs....costing $4568. lol
Anyway, one of the items on the list was a need to replace the left and right axel seal. Well, I have noticed a lot of grease and oil appearing in that area. So today, after going to 3 commercial auto stores..trying to find an axel seal got one and replaced. However, during the replacement, I found the real source of my greasy mess. I've never messed with the tie-rod before,( I guess it's the inner tie rod)...the boot on the drivers side was busted. Nissan didn't say anything about that . Anyway, I went to advanced auto...they had the tie rod and tie rod kits..but no tie rod boots. (didnt even have them in their catalog) Is that what they are called? Ill try some other places tomorrow...but any advice on finding one?

I didn't get a good look at it for it was getting dark and I was trying to get the drive axel back in, but it looked like all id have to do is pop of the tie-rod from the steering knuckle and the balljoint and slide the new boot on. Any advice?

 

chk other autoparts store mang.

 

try rockauto.com--- -it's the rack & pinion boot. driver side can be a pita to do, not much room for working. don't forget to count the turns when you take the outer tierod off, put it back the same amount. saves the alignment.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

 

If your rack is leaking through the boot, the problem is the rack. The boot is just a dust cover, replacing it alone will not solve any problems.

I suggest a rebuilt 99 rack.

Dave

 

You said you replaced that axle seal, i would bet your diff bearings are wearing out. I would start thinking about getting your tranny rebuilt. For the rack boot, i got mine at autozone. I replaced both sides. You have to remove the tie rod ends to slide on the new boots. Before you do that mark where the tierod ends are on the rod, so you when you put them back on you dont have to align the front end.

 

My boots are ripped as well. My rack appears to have leaked out. What happens if you continue to drive with this? My car steers perfectly fine. Considering all the miles I racked up I don't think its worth an $800+ repair and it doesn't like rack replacement is DIY job.

 

--- it wasn't leaking "through the boot"...the boot was just ripped in half---and it was grease not any kind of fluid

I bought the $15 boot at napa....tore off the old boot....applied some grease and put it on...

--However, here is a very HELPFUL hint!

Upon putting the boot on, it appeared as if the new boot was just slightly smaller in diameter around the ends. Well, I slid the boot down the rod and tried to put it on..but I couldnt fit the end over the rack. It looked like it was reaching fine length wise. I tried stretching it..and just wouldnt go. Well earlier, I had turned my wheels to the right (working on the driver's side)...(tierod out)..so id have "more" room to work with. I turned my wheels the other way having the rod go in as far as it could. The boot went right on. So, depending on how fast you can get the wheel off and outer tierod out....add 10 minutes to that and you have yourself a boot job!

---everyone probably already knows that, but i know NOW! ha

 

lol, a boot job...but anyways I think I gotta do my inner tie rods as well. I have no leaks but feels a bit loose, and just did outers.

 

what were the recalls?

 

I'm not sure about other years, but on the 98 max there was a recall on the alternator. Something about a failing/cracked diode causing it to catch fire? ...I guess the pieces of the the broken diode would cause it.....either way, they recalled it about 5 years ago....2003, me thinks. Which is when I got the car, but didn't find out about the recall until about 2005....and never took it in until about a month ago. There was some weird noises coming from my pulley area and when I'd hit the gas my lights would brighten. Could have been a loose belt or something else...thought this would be the best time to take advantage of the recall. I emailed Nissan with my vin number asking if I could still get it. They said yup. I took it to a dealership..and after 2 hours, they told me they would have to order the alternator but here is a list of repairs costing over $4000. Anyway, I took it in, got the new alternator...problems fixed!