Has anyone replaced the steering rack boots? Special tool to install new clamps?

[Sagaris]

I removed the factory clamps on the steering rack boots and am looking to buy new clamps. Is there a special tool to crimp them on with? Are there any other good alternatives?

Thanks

[devon.818]

can't you use the oring clamps with the screw to tighten?

[Sagaris]

can't you use the oring clamps with the screw to tighten?

Like the coolant hose clamps? I considered that as an alternative, but it seems wrong for some reason :D

[einstein57]

Yes there is a special tool. Think i paid around $12 for one at pepboys. A large set of dykes will do in a pinch. The metal on the clamps is thick enough to crimp without cutting through them.

[Sagaris]

Thanks!

[Gnarles]

Zip ties work for me

[einstein57]

I'm sure he already bought the clamps. If you take them off carefully you can re-use them sometime. I put new ones on when i did my rack. I figured i spent a several hundred replacing every part of the front end, whats another $5. Zip ties work fine but i like knowing I did it how it was originally designed to be.

[long tall eta]

in the middle of doing tie rods now and the old boots where zip tied on. held up well and where fully intact when i cut them off. i bought new clamps to replace cause i wana have it the way it's supposed to be toooo.
unscrewing the rods from the rack is the toughest part of the job so far. tabs are bent back and still a bitch.

[Sagaris]

I am prepping a Z3 rack for install and it doesn't have lock tabs. It was tough to get the tie-rods off with the rack out of the car and I accidentally knicked the gear rack shaft with the wrench. :\ I dont want it tearing up any seals as it goes in and out of the rack so I cleaned up the burrs, filled the knick with JB weld and sanded with 2000 grit to smooth and level it out. A blind man couldn't wouldn't know any different. Nice to know that zip-ties did the job. I know that some cars have them held on by tie-wire.