Replacing rubber steering rod boots - how to take off tierod

shoosty · Post by **shoosty** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:41 am

Has anyone got a easy way to replace the rubber boots on my tierod ends?
I am assuming I have to unscrew the joint. How do I keep it so I don't have to do a realignment afterwards??
I am thinking of counting the turns when I unscrew it.

Any ideas appreciated!

Thank You

jessef · Post by **jessef** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:47 am

If you can get it close, you may not notice any/much difference driving.

Personally, I would recommend to get it aligned after replacing the boots/tierods/etc.. on the steering linkage.

Better in the long run for your vehicle/tires.

capslayer · Post by **capslayer** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:49 pm

The only reason you would need to get an alignment would be if you un-screwed the tie rod end from the tie rod itself. If you just unbolt the tierod end, and replace the rubber, you can re-insert the shaft of the tie rod end to where it came from and re-tighten the nut.

Capslayer

shoosty · Post by **shoosty** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:45 pm

Hmm, okay well if unbolting it was that easy that would be great.

However if I inbolt the tie rod directly doesn't that still leave me with having to slip the small narrow end of the rubber boot over something big (whatever the tie-rod was bolted to)?

Has anyone actually done this (capslayer?)

jessef · Post by **jessef** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:49 pm

shoosty wrote:Hmm, okay well if unbolting it was that easy that would be great.

However if I inbolt the tie rod directly doesn't that still leave me with having to slip the small narrow end of the rubber boot over something big (whatever the tie-rod was bolted to)?

Has anyone actually done this (capslayer?)

I've done. Yes it will fit (narrow hole on the boot) stretch it over.

If you unscrew the tie-rod then you would need an alignment. If you just pull the boot over, then it's just a matter or unbolting it.

shoosty · Post by **shoosty** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:59 pm

That's awesome I can just stretch the boot over the tie rod.
I am looking forward to attempting this tomorrow. Will a simple socket or crescent wrench set do the trick for this job?

There is no Deilica forum as active as Delica.ca anywhere yet the L300 is so new to Canadians.......

Thanks for all the help,

Golf Cart · Post by **Golf Cart** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:03 pm

shoosty wrote: There is no Deilica forum as active as Delica.ca anywhere yet the L300 is so new to Canadians.......

Its the coffee !

jessef · Post by **jessef** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:25 pm

shoosty wrote:That's awesome I can just stretch the boot over the tie rod.
I am looking forward to attempting this tomorrow. Will a simple socket or crescent wrench set do the trick for this job?

There is no Deilica forum as active as Delica.ca anywhere yet the L300 is so new to Canadians.......

Thanks for all the help,

Socket or ratchet wrench.

snelson · Post by **snelson** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:42 pm

Hey Shoosty - it would be great if you can post some pics of your procedure. I'm going to need to do the same thing.
Where did you find the new boots? Part Number??
Steve

vixentd · Post by **vixentd** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 12:22 am

Use two hammers to allow the tie rod to seperate. Unscrew the tie rod and cound the number of turns. INstall boot, and screw tie rod on the number of turns taken off. No alignment needed, and not damaged boot.

shoosty · Post by **shoosty** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 4:36 pm

Yup, I had to do the 'unscrew the tie rod and count the turns thingy'

No way I was stretching the small rubber end (same diameter as the tie-rod) over the ball joint.
Those who did that maybe were using a generic tie-rod boot? I only managed to get one side done before the rain showed up but it was an easy process.

1. - Unscrew tie rod nut (holding tie rod in place) and find a way to mark the thread count of tie-rod if possible
2. - Unscrew main tie-rod with a 12mm wrench (MAKE SURE TO MARK TIE ROD & COUNT THE TURNS) as accurate as possible!
3. - Take off old boot, put on new
4. - replace small clip on tie rod small end and zip-tie the large end to the steering rack once you have it slipped on

Note: a good idea next time is to stretch out the large end of the new rubber boot before putting it on as it was a bit tricky to stretch it over the main steering rack.

Part number is 612 69 0011 (Made by Q-drive Hamburg-Germany) But that is over here in Europe and easy to find.

joebillhill · Post by **joebillhill** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 9:16 am

Does anyone have any tricks for breaking the tie rod nut loose? I've applied liberal amounts of pb blaster on it but any other tricks would be appreciated.

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:29 pm

The lock nut on the tie rod adjustment? I'd try whacking it with a couple of hammers (use one hammer as an anvil) or heating it. Last resort is to use a plumbers wrench and replace the nut afterwards.

The taper on the end of the steering ball joint? Two hammers again, or the proper ball joint taper breaking tool.

joebillhill · Post by **joebillhill** » Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:26 pm

Two hammers it is then! I'm trying to break loose the lock nut on the tie rod adjustment.

Trinker · Post by **Trinker** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:07 am

Heat (I use a propane torch), Deep Creep and a Big Wrench are your best friends when dealing with the lock nut and tie rod ends!

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