redpathtribe

Dave, great idea too, Thanks! That's the kind of tool I envisioned to help "pull" the boot over onto the bushing on the rod ends or even onto the rack "hub" casting. I thought about bending the end of a small screwdriver to make the small 90 deg. hook, but I'm a little concerned about tearing the boots. I guess that's where taking your time and being gentle comes in... sorta like "tapping" on the u-joint with the hammer...

SharkSkin

I bought 3 boots because I was afraid I'd tear one -- I did. Now, the big question is, did I get careless and tear one because the spare was right there, or was I just really smart to buy 3? Probably the former, but they're cheap and it was good practice.

Yeah, you have to be careful -- the one that ripped did so when I slipped and caught it with a sharp corner on the flatbar. I suspect it would have been easier if I had been pulling the boot over the tie rod end, but I went in the other direction:

jcorenman

Aha! I didn't understand the problem with the little end, but your picture explains it-- I'm doing it backwards.

I unscrewed the tie-rods rather than popping the outer ball-joint. The boot then slips over the end of the (separated) tie-rod, and I pull it over the rubber bushing until the small-end of the boot drops into place. Then wrestle the big end over the nose of the casting.

NickT

I had trouble getting my steering rack back in.. Could not get the knuckle to slide on.

Spent quite sometime with a dental pick cleaning out the knuckle, followed by a q-tip and some solvent.

Cleaned it all up, applied a thin coat of gear oil, and it slid on fairly easily.. Did require a minor bit of persuasion for the last MM or two.