Help with inner tie rod boot

[nukkinfuttz]

I was replacing my inner tie rods and just went ahead an picked up new boots to go with the job. So, when I took the old one apart, rather than unscrew that jam nut that holds the outter tie rod end so I could get the old boot off, I just cut the old boot off with a box cutter.

Fast forward to installing the new boot... its opening at the steering rack end is a lot smaller than the one that came off. The material does "Stretch" but I cant get my hands or tools in there to stretch it over the end of the rack. I was thinking I had been given the wrong part maybe.


So back to the store I go with old and new part. I show the clerk and ask to see some of the other brands they carry, maybe one of those is a better match. Unfortunately I they had no others in stock, anywhere in my city.

I leave there and call another chain store, they don't have any either. damn

finally, Napa says they have two different kinds. I get there, and the new parts they have is exactly like the small one I bought at advance. He also checked multiple years older and new than my car, and they all had the same part number.

At this point I am thinking I have the right part, its just going to suck. I went back out there for another hour and tried and tried to get than damn thing on. I just cant do it. Anyone else been through this crap before? Tips? How the heck did you get that on?

[HighOctaneRacing]

This job is a real PITA. Believe me. When Installing the new boot, make sure you line it up correctly so you can easily put the vent tube back into the new boots. As for sliding the new boot back onto the rack, you want to submerge the end of the boot that goes onto the rack in hot water so the boot flexes and that makes it much easier to slide on. I also lubed the boots up with Vaseline to make it even easier. Trust me, this job blows when you're working on the ground with limited space but you'll get it. Just keep trying and use quality zip ties too. When I did this job on the ground it took me a couple hours cause new boots are stiff little whores

[Scottydoggs]

you do know you have to remove the outer tie rod and the locking nut to get the boot back on right? and off with out cutting the old one.

they sell the new pinch clamps, but i used a zip tie, its still on tight too.

[nukkinfuttz]

alright, well I got it! Thanks for letting me know it was just gonna suck and to embrace it. I just needed to know that I wasn't doing something wrong and then I get tenacious on that thing. I stretched the hell outta it by forcing it over something way too big that I had laying around in the garage, then I stretched it even further by jamming tools and bolts and stuff all around it. I let it set for 30 min stressed like that, then when I tried again it went on the first time. I was almost in disbelief and had to really feel back there to be sure, but yeah, it was on. everything went fine after that. Thanks guys.

[HighOctaneRacing]

No Problem. Glad you got the boots on.