PeteL

I need to replace the rubber boot on my steering rack (passenger side). How do I do this? Looked at it briefly, appears I need to remove the tie rod end. Is this correct? Will the boot then slide off the assembly? Pardon my ignorance.

R.B.

I just replaced both of mine. I did not remove the tie rod end. I disconnected the tie rod end from the wheel assembly. I pulled off the old boot right over the rubber grommet and the tie rod end. I cleaned up the area that was under the boot and regreased. Also clean up the rest of the tie rod so as not to get dirst on the new boot when installing. Then I took the new boot and carefully fed it over the tie rod end, pushed it over the grommet, seated the outside end on the grommet and then seated rack side. Check that it is sealed. Put the tie rod end back into the wheel assembly. And drive on!

Joel

Pete,

Yes, you will have to separate the outer tie rod end from the control arm. Once that is done you can work the boot off. Be careful sliding the new one on, as it is a bit of a pain.

To remove the tie rod undo the cotter pin, remove the top nut and either use a tie rod separator tool or a hammer to lightly hit the top of the tie rod end to pop it out of the control arm. Don't turn the adjuster sleeve on the tie rod (that way the alignment setting won't change).

PeteL

Thanks. Always good to hear BTDTs before taking on a job, no matter how large or small.