So...what's the correct way for us non-lift homie mechanic to replace these
PSR boots.  I myself have taken the tie rod off
carefully, replace the boot, and re-installed same tie rod.  I've driven
this vehicle safely for over 20K miles.

Doesn't the tie rod shape hold it in place, as well as the nut (which you
cannot tighten too much as it wants to turn?)>

Help me keep my vehicle safe if you can....

Thanks

Larry

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Schwaia" <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 8:14 PM
Subject: Re: Power Steering Boots - hose clamp attachment

> 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
>