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steering rack boot install

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Jer

Jer

Jedi Warrior
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I am perplexed, I changed the steering rack boots on my 67' a couple years ago, ni big issue just had grease up to my armpits & a few skinned knuckles...
I am now in the process of working on my 74' & changing the rack boots, the right side went with no issues, however the rack on the 74' is slightly different than my 67' & the left side is a PITA to get to fit over the clamp surface on the rack - the rack boot measures out properly & looks like the old one that came off, but the left side isn't as accesable & a larger diameter than the right side... trying to get that boot onto the rack to clamp it down is frustrating... was thinking about trying to gently stretch the boot or heat it up to get a clearance...
Any suggestions ?
Thanks
 
Hi Jer,

I replaced the boots on my '74 about a year ago. I did have the advantage of having the rack on the kitchen table but I know what you are saying.

Like you are thinking, I warmed the boot in some hot water and then stretched it some. But what really made a difference was using dish soap instead of grease. It also helped to turn the wheel so that side was shortened up before trying to install the boot. Then clamping it before again turning the wheel.
 
Thanks Tom, I will try hopefully this weekend & report back !
 
KY Jelly is the lubricant of choice in my garage for such things.
 
Finally got to the steering rack boot, the right recipe to get that drivers side boot on was this recipe.

1 - Cut plastic containor up & make an 1.5" strip that will wrap around the collar on the steering rack.

2 - soak boot in a pail, full of hot water from a kettle.

3 - remove boot & apply liberal amounts of dishsoap.

4 - slide boot into place and use plastic stip in a "cone" shape so the boot slides over the plastic and into place over the rack collar.

5 - remove palstic strip carefully without boot sliding back off (it's really, really frustrating when it does :smile: )

I then got the new tie rod installed, lower welch plug installed (original was butchered by D.P.O) & installed new upper trunion bushings.
Next up is removing old rubber bumper overiders & installing new chrome overiders, then rostyle rim painting... snow will be melting within the next month...
 
Go man, go.
 
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