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Ok so what axle do I get????

  • Thread starter Thread starter green SVT
  • Start date Start date
ok well I went to the autoparts store and they said it has nothing to do with the axle and that its just a boot for the rack and pinion. Is that true???? Man if so I'm RETARDED
 
Yea, that's the boot that goes over the end of the rack. You'll need to replace that, and if you're lucky, that alone. If you're not lucky, some dirt will have found its way into the rack.

To replace the boot, jack up that corner of the car. Remove the tie rod end by taking the nut off and punching it out of the spindle with a precise hammer blow. Some will say to use a puller-- if you have one, great, do that, but I've always just punched it out. Now, undo the clips holding the boot on- there are two. Cut it, stretch it, whatever you have to do to get it over the tie rod end. Depending on how the new boot is made, you may be able to just slip it over the tie rod end. If that's the case, put everything back together and you're good. If not, put the tie rod end back into the spindle to hold it in place (but dont tighten the nut on), loosen the jam nut, and remove the tie rod end. Slip the boot on, reconnect the tie rod end, and redo the clamps. Put the tie rod end back into the spindle, tighten everything back up, and you're done. Be sure to have your alignment set-- the toe on that wheel will be off.

Hope this helps-- Good luck!
 
mcgarvey said:
Yea, that's the boot that goes over the end of the rack. You'll need to replace that, and if you're lucky, that alone. If you're not lucky, some dirt will have found its way into the rack.

To replace the boot, jack up that corner of the car. Remove the tie rod end by taking the nut off and punching it out of the spindle with a precise hammer blow. Some will say to use a puller-- if you have one, great, do that, but I've always just punched it out. Now, undo the clips holding the boot on- there are two. Cut it, stretch it, whatever you have to do to get it over the tie rod end. Depending on how the new boot is made, you may be able to just slip it over the tie rod end. If that's the case, put everything back together and you're good. If not, put the tie rod end back into the spindle to hold it in place (but dont tighten the nut on), loosen the jam nut, and remove the tie rod end. Slip the boot on, reconnect the tie rod end, and redo the clamps. Put the tie rod end back into the spindle, tighten everything back up, and you're done. Be sure to have your alignment set-- the toe on that wheel will be off.

Hope this helps-- Good luck!
Click to expand...

My goodness your a life saver, exactly what I was looking for. I'm going to buy the new boot in a few and give it a try. How will I know if dirt got into the rack? What would I have to replace if so? Thanks again btw :D
 
When the boot comes off, you'll see if there is much dirt in there or not. If there is power steering fluid in the ripped boot then the rack seals are already leaking. If the leak is small, you can turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and clean the exposed rask as much as you can, then reinstall the new boot. THEN go to the local parts store and buy a bottle of LUCAS POWER STEERING STOP LEAK (might be called something slightly different but it's made by Lucas). Follow the instructions and it should reduce or even stop the leak for a while. Otherwise if the leak is major, the rack has to come out and replaced. This is a real PITA.

Either way try to stopleak first even if the leak is big, might reduce it to accaptable levels.

Good luck.
 
Ok well I pulled the boot. Its not ripped or anything, looks like the clamp closest to the rack just bit the dust. I looked at the joint and it didnt seem to have any dirt but I will check better tomorrow. I tried to zip tie the the boot back on but there was little elbow room to tighten so I'm going to try a pinch clamp or one of the screw types. I did notice that there is alot of powersteering fluid missing out of the resevoir (sp), does that mean the seal is shot or could that have leaked out since the boot issue? Either way, if the rack needs replaced, then the car is going bye-bye.
 
Try this: Turn the wheel either to the right or the left. This might move the boot end to a more accesable location and you can put the clamp on easier.

If only the clamp was missing then jsut put it on the old boot and call it a day.

Was there PS fluid in the boot? Fluid can leak out on at many places so find where it's leaking before giving up on it.
 
Ok I'll try that. I didnt see any on the boot but there is a small spotting of it on the ground (car has been sitting for 7 days) and the fluid is very low. One CRAZY thing I did notice is if your looking at the boot just barely above it (I'm assuming this is where the rack is) there is a large bolt. Well it was BARELY threaded in?? I have no idea why and what impact it could have had.
 
green SVT said:
Ok I'll try that. I didnt see any on the boot but there is a small spotting of it on the ground (car has been sitting for 7 days) and the fluid is very low. One CRAZY thing I did notice is if your looking at the boot just barely above it (I'm assuming this is where the rack is) there is a large bolt. Well it was BARELY threaded in?? I have no idea why and what impact it could have had.
Click to expand...


Not on the boot but IN the boot.
Take a pic of this bolt. It might be easeir to recognise it that way.
Also look where the oil spot is on the ground, then look up and try to locate the leak.
 
I'll take a pic tom. If you look at the boot, the housing that the inner tie rod end goes into, the bolt is on the top of that. And I will take a look at that ps leak. Thanks man
 
ok couldnt take a pic because camera was dead but I tightened the bolt as good as possible right now. I installed the clamp, which was MUCH easier when I had the wheel turned thanks for the advice. Now the car made light a crackle and popping noise but has stopped after a 25 minute drive. I'm assuming that is that rack joint as you said???
 
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