Date:         Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:57:04 -0800
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Power Steering  Boots
Comments: To: AAG - Larry Word <word_aag@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <03e901c50415$0be9c060$8501a8c0@aag>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Larry,

The "correct way" would be to remove the tie rod end, replace the boot,
reinstall the tie rod end, and get a wheel alignment.

Most people don't want to spend the money for a wheel alignment if they
don't need one, and I prefer not to mess with the tie rods & alignment, so I
remove the tie rod at the rack to replace the boot.  You need to use two
wrenches to remove the tie rod from the from the rack, one wrench on the tie
rod, the other is used on the rack shaft to prevent it from turning in the
rack housing.  Use a little loc-tite when you reinstall the tie rod and
tighten it a little past it's previous position (with two wrenches again)
and tap the lock ring into place.  Use some nice black zip ties on the boot
ends and viola, you're done.

Cheers,

Jeff
www.vanagonparts.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of AAG - Larry Word
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 6:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Power Steering Boots


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
>