Foch

I damaged one of the steering gear dust boots on my 98 4Runner today. Ripped a dime size hole in it.

How critical is it for me to get this fixed ASAP? Whats under the boot? Does any one make a split-boot repair kit or does the tie rod need to come off?

The weather sucks here in Maine and I'm sure how quick I'll be able to fix it.

Thanks in advance.

blown4runner96

I don't think anyone makes a replacement boot that doesn't require removing the tie rod end... Its not hugely important, but you'll definitally want to get this fixed as soon as you have some free time. As for removing the tie rod end, if you don't have access to an alignment rack try and mark where the tie rod was originally sitting before removing it so you have a general idea of where it was for toe and steering wheel alignment angles