Tie Rod Boot: Service and Repair

NOTE: The removal and installation of the following components must be performed with the rack and pinion assembly removed from the vehicle.

REMOVE
1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a hoist.
2. Remove the front tires and wheels from the vehicle.





3. Remove the outer tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nuts on both sides of the vehicle.

Tie Rod End Removal:

4. Remove both outer tie rod ends from the steering knuckles, using Puller Special Tool C-3894-A.
5. Remove the steering gear from the vehicle.

Tie Rod Jam Nut:

6. Loosen the inner to outer tie rod jam nut. Then, remove the outer tie rod from the inner tie rod.
7. Remove jam nut from inner tie rod.





8. Using pliers, expand the clamp securing the boot to the inner tie rod.

Snorkel To Breather Tube Clamp:

9. Using pliers expand boot snorkel to breather tube clamp and slide off boot snorkel. Leave the clamp on the breather tube.
10. Remove the clamp attaching the boot to the steering gear.

NOTE: After removing inner boot clamps. Use a very small screwdriver to lift boot from its retaining groove in steering gear. Then the boot can be removed from steering gear.

11. Remove the boot from the steering gear.

INSTALL
1. Install tie rod boot on inner tie rod.
2. Align snorkel on tie rod boot with steering gear breather tube.
3. Install tie rod boot over lip on housing of steering gear and on the end of the breather tube.
4. Install the tie rod boot to breather tube snorkel clamp.
5. Install new tie rod boot to steering gear clamp.
6. Lubricate inner tie rod boot groove with silicone type lubricant. Then install the tie rod boot in the groove of the inner tie rod. (Clamp will have to be loosened for toe adjustment.)
7. Install inner to outer tie rod jam nut on inner tie rod.
8. Install outer tie rod on inner tie rod. Do not tighten jam nut.
9. Install the steering gear back in the vehicle.
10. Install the outer tie rod on the steering knuckle. Install the tie rod to steering knuckle attaching nut. Tighten the attaching nut to a torque of 52 Nm (38 ft. lbs.). Install cotter pin in stud of tie rod.

CAUTION: During this procedure do not allow the steering gear boot to become twisted.

11. Make toe adjustment by turning inner tie rod.
12. Tighten the inner to outer tie rod jam nut to a torque of 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).