Wrong.

We do this all the time here at the shop when we replace steering rack
boots.  Takes a little doing and of course it's much easier when the van is
on a lift.

Cheers,

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of George Goff
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 5:37 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Power Steering Boots - hose clamp attachment

In a message dated 1/26/05 12:30:10 AM, jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM writes:

<< Unscrew the tie rod at the steering rack instead of removing the tie rod

end.  That way you won't have any issues with the alignment. >>

Bad idea if not impossible.  With the rack mounted to the car the tie rod
locking notch is on the topside of the rack and it would take some real
doing to
perish the locking crimp so that the tie rod could be wrung off.  Once the
means of locking the tie rod has been lost, the tie rod is useless.  All
this is
moot, anyway, since the rack has to be off the car and clamped in a bench
vise
in order to R&R the tie rods.

George