In a message dated 16/08/2004 12:04:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

When you  remove the tie rod end, just loosen the locknut but snug it up
again  against the end of the tie rod end before removing it.  Then  be
careful not to move the locknut while changing the boot and you can  just
spin the tie rod end back on to the same point.  Don't need a  dial caliper.

If you remove the tie rod from the rack by  unscrewing the inner joint
connection you can replace the boot with no change to  the steering link.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
'87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com