steering rack boot

[j.meng87]

anyone here change their steering rack boot before? how hard is it? thanks

[JohnL]

anyone here change their steering rack boot before? how hard is it? thanks

Not very. The tie rod end needs to come off, of course. If it still has the original metal retaining clips / straps you need to cut these off, use pull ties instead when fitting the new boot. Make sure you re-attach the pressure equalisation tube that runs between both boots, re-use the little plastic spigot that allows the tube to be attached to the boot (the new boot should have little hole for the spigot).

This tube allows air to flow from one boot to the other as you steer, if it wasn't there then when you steered one boot would 'balloon' and the other be collapsed by atmospheric air pressure. The tube is easy to detach from the boot (just tug the boot while holding the tube, the spigot will probably pull out of the boot, but the tube may come off the spigot), but somewhat harder to re-attach as access to at least one side isn't great.

When you remove the tie rod end take note of how many turns this takes before it comes off. When you replace it turn it the same number of turns before tightening the locknut. This will get you in the ballpark for toe, but ideally you should then get a toe alignment.

If there's any dirt inside the rack you really ought to remove / dismantle and clean it out. Don't know how much of a pain this would be, substantial at a guess!

[j.meng87]

Thanks:thumbsup:. will try and do it this weekend

[Riviera]

Nice to know, good for future knowledge

i like that word

spigot

lol

you spigot~!!

edit - sigh

[JohnL]

i like that word

spigot

lol

you spigot~!!

edit - sigh

Some people might think it's a little odd to be called a fitting to which a pipe or tube is attached (or a tap if they're a Yank)! ("does he mean spick, or bigot, or..., what a strange person!?").