I took off my tie rods, and noticed that the boot, or dust covers were cracked ans split. The knuckles themselves did not appear to have any damage (no pits, or cracks, and there was no debris in the pieces.

I say all that to ask if just the boots or dust covers can be replaced without having to replace the entire tie rod or ball joint?

 

i know that the dust boot can be bought if you buy the entire bushing package at mazdatrix, I am sure you can find just the boot if you search for it, maybe some of the parts stores sell them, i think i saw them at a couple places

 

Yes.

http://www.suspension.com/mazda.htm

 

so for the 89-91 models, are we SOL in just purchasing the ball joint solely? i looked into mazdatrix and they only sell the whole lower control arm w/ the ball joint. =(