Quick!

[///M42 sport]

Is it easy to replacing a steering rack boot? My cars in the shop right now and they said it was about $100 to replace. Do you need special tools? I gotta call them back to tell them what I want done.

[Digitalwave]

Pretty sure its a piece of rubber held on my zip ties and/or a clamp.

[redcarbon]

but you'll have to unbolt the tie rod from the strut to get the new one on. not hard, but it may take a newbie a bit of time to do if they don't have a puller and jacks and tools and such.

[Digitalwave]

but you'll have to unbolt the tie rod from the strut to get the new one on. not hard, but it may take a newbie a bit of time to do if they don't have a puller and jacks and tools and such.

Ah, thats true. Still doesn't seem like a $100 job to me.

[///M42 sport]

I've done suspension and exhaust before by myself so will this be a problem? Do you need to get an alignment after this?

[Digitalwave]

Not if its just the boot, you wouldn't need an alignment.

[88325isboy]

do it your self.

[///M42 sport]

Cool, thanks for the quick responses.

[Alecs MacDonald]

Just out of curiosity, why does the boot need to be replaced? Has it torn off or what?

[PeaveyBassist]

I would never pay someone $100 to do that job. If you have done suspension stuff already, you should have the tools to jack the car up and take the tie rod ball joint off the strut. Then the boot is held on with either clamps or zip ties. Easy as hell.

Will

[///M42 sport]

Thanks for the advice guys. I replace one this evening. Piece of take, although the passenger side tide rod is stuck to the strut assembly. Anyone have a tie rod puller their willing to let me borrow?

[///M42 sport]

Just out of curiosity, why does the boot need to be replaced? Has it torn off or what?

It was old and broke apart.

[Jordan]

Don't ever use a puller.

Use a hammer.

Hit the strut housing on the outside most corner around the tierod taper. Hit it like a man, don't worry you won't hurt it. Just don't miss and nail your tierod.

9 times out of 10 a couple good whacks like this will break the tierod taper free, and it will only require a light tap by comparison on the threads (put the nut back on a couple threads for protection)

If by chance you screw up the nut it is m10x1.0

[Victell]

Use a hammer.

That works. I loosen the nut so its flush with the top of the threads, and hammer the nut. This prevents damage to the tie rod threads in case you accidentally hit them. Same goes for lower control arm tie rods to spindle.

[cthulu703]

That works. I loosen the nut so its flush with the top of the threads, and hammer the nut. This prevents damage to the tie rod threads in case you accidentally hit them. Same goes for lower control arm tie rods to spindle.

Large brass drift, a ball-peen hammer, and a dream.