chaadster

The 928 gods gave me no mercy yesterday. After wriggling on my back for 10 hours, struggling to R&R my leaking steering rack, when I was ready to button it all up by sliding the boots in place, they just wouldn't cooperate.

The boots are very snug; is there a marvelous trick to getting them in place without tearing them? Getting 'em over the inner tie rod joint seems impossible!

Any insight is appreciated.

Leon Speed

To start, they shoud be on the wheel side of the tie rod, then get the inner tie rod in place and tightened. Now slide it over the rubber stop and pull it all the way over so that it streches. The boot should slip over the rubber stop. Strech the boot far enough so that the ring of the boot sits flush in the rubber stop groove. Then relax. Next, spray some WD40 on the steering rack. Grip the boot with a vice grip on both sides (grip 2 boot "folds" to prevent ripping it) and pull, wiggle, twist, the boot over the steering rack. You have to pull pretty hard, and you'll be afraid to rip the boot, but it will work. Then spray some more WD40 in the steering rack groove and pull the boot in place. Twist until it sits flush in the groove.

Mike Frye

I thought you just turned it inside out to slide it on (which still isn't very easy, but doable), then popped it back to the right way. Maybe mine was different.

Mrmerlin

to fit the boots its easy.
First seperate the outer tie rod from the rod use the nut to mark the length.
Slide the boot onto the rod then reconnect to the outer joint, with the key in the ignition and battery disconnected, turn the key to the first position to unlock the steering column
then turn the wheels all the way to the left then go fit the left boot, spray some WD 40 on the inner rack joint and the boot edge, after fitting the boot past the outer rubber shaft seal the boot can be slid onto the inner seating area as with the rack turned all the way there is a gradual slope to the seat area.
Once you do the left side then turn the wheels all the way to the right fit the right side as you did the left.
The boots are tight fit but will slide right on with the steering turned all the way

Jadz928

You need some lube. Vaseline or dielectric grease works for me.

SeanR

I fold the ends over so they will just pop on when the boot is in place.

auzivision

I used PB Blaster... it's a decent lubricant.

Bill Ball

New boots can withstand just about any technique for stretching them over the outer stop and then over the inner tie rod joint. Usually I just "work" them over the stop by hand. Often I can work the inner end up into the groove on rack hand as well. Lube helps. Gripping the last pleat with pliers/vice grips and stretching it while pulling it over the rack end, as Dr. Bob described, is a very fast way and will not hurt the boot at all. I've not found a need to move the steering rack side to side. Usually a firm tug or two and they are on in no time.

Mrmerlin

Bill If you do turn the wheels to full lock you will notice that there is a continual cone shape all the way to the boot seat , its really easy to slide the boot on , no tools are necessary, In fact it almost looks like it was designed to be this way to facilitate boot installation, Try it you will see

chaadster

Thanks for all the tips, guys!

I was wondering if turning the wheels was going to help; thanks for the confirmation Merlin!

Out to the garage now to get it done...

chaadster

Wouldn't ya know...they pretty much went right on this time! A little pulling with a pair of Visegrips and just a few minutes each side. I tried the wheel turning trick, but didn't really get anywhere with that, probably because they were on the inside of the tie rod end already.

Must have been that, last night, I was tired and frustrated and just wasn't working smartly. I've learned a lesson: don't wrench tired!

Thanks again, all.

Bill Ball

Hey Stan: I'm sure that works and is a good tip for anyone struggling with the boot. I just thought it was more trouble to get out from under the car and do this than a couple of tugs.

Mike Frye

QFE! I've broken parts and screwed up more jobs after I said, 'Just a few more minutes and I'm done' than any other time. Sometimes it's tough to know when to call it, but if you start cursing or your hands are shaking it's a good indicator.

Glad you got it!

oz928s4

full lock is the go...they go right on

jwbeck17

Resurrecting this since I just did this today.

Stan's recommendation on turning the wheel to full lock in the direction of the wheel you are working on, then sliding the boot on with some WD40 worked for me.

So easy, in fact, that really questioned i got it on until I took a hard look and tested it.

It was harder to get my jacket on my son when he was a toddler.

SUCH A GOOD RECOMMENDATION and i was back on the road in minutes!