Jeff,
      There may be.  I have not tryed this but the center of the outer
end of the boot is not one piece.  The outer end has a dounut like
piece that touches the rod. The opening that is left after removing
this dounut just might fit over the ball joint.  Anyone ever try this?
                                                 ERic
      P.S.  Is the boot ripped,  or are you leaking fluid?

Jeff Oxroad wrote:

>Is there a way to replace a torn tie rod boot--the boot on the steering gear
>around the tie rod--without removing the tie rod or the tie rod end?
>
>I rememember years ago seeing a CV joint rubber boot for a beetle that was
>split length-wise and clipped over the CV joint to allow replacement of the boot
>without removing the entire CV joint. How well this repair boot worked I
>don't know.
>
>If there is not this simple repair, what is the process? The tie rod end need
>to be pressed out of the steering knuckle, then unscrew the tie rod from the
>steering gear, swap in a new boot and reassemble--then get alignment adjusted?
>
>I suppose if I have to go that far, I might as well replace the tie rod ends
>while I'm in there?
>
>Any info appreciated.
>Thanks
>Jeff
>83.5 Westy
>LA,CA
>
>
>
>