Replacing Boot on Steering Rack

[NickHolroyd]

Does anyone know the best way to replacing Boot on Steering Rack?

[usury]

Maybe not the "best" way, but since I have this in the near future myself, this is what I plan to do...

Jack and support car
Remove front wheel
Break tie rod end locknut free
Remove tie rod end from steering knuckle
Remove tie rod end, counting turns
Slip old boot off
Slide new boot on
Reinstall tie rod end, same number of turns
Reassemble everything
Torque everything
Get out my strings and jack stands and such
Adjust the toe-in
Lock down tie rod end locknut

[whalenlg]

I think I've been able to slide them on over the tie rod ends without removing.

Also - mine always seem to slip off, so I zip tied both ends of the boots and that seems to help.

[cda951]

I think I've been able to slide them on over the tie rod ends without removing.

Also - mine always seem to slip off, so I zip tied both ends of the boots and that seems to help.

Yes, if you can manage to pop loose the tie rod end from the knuckle without damaging the ball joint boot, you can lube up the new steering rack boot with dish soap and water and slip it over the tie rod end without affecting the toe adjustment.

That said, I've encountered many garbage aftermarket steering rack boots which disintegrate after only a few years. I went with Genuine Porsche boots when I did the tie rods on my 944S2 cab, though even that still isn't a 100% guarantee they will last . . .

[zooklm1]

If you need to do an alignment, then the best bet for longevity would be to remove the tie rod from the rack. If your alignment is good, I would try squeezing the boot over the tie rod. You could probably do 2-3 boots over the tie rod for the cost of 1 alignment.