PSA - check your boots.

[jdbubb at verizon.net (Dan Bubb)]

PS and manual rack boots are quite different. They're also pretty cheap so you might as well get the right ones.
Replacing just the boots isn't that big of a job, although if you still have the factory non-adjustable driver's side tie rod getting the boot over the tie rod end might be pretty interesting. Getting the tie rod end out of the steering arm will be the hard part. That is if you care about not effing up it's boot. You'll also need to be pretty anal about cleaning everything to get any grit out.

Replacing the tie rods, both inner and outer joints, is a major PITA, mostly on the driver's side, because you need big wrenches and the access is poor.

The damage to Greg's rack and rack bushing can be seen here at the bottom of the page.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1540609&page=97

Amazing what a little grit and a lot of time can accomplish!
Dan

From: "C Boyko" <roccit_53@scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca>
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 6:24 PM
Subject: Re: PSA - check your boots.


> Yeah, and that's an easy thing to forget about too, I noticed Klaus' had a
> nice big split in it, but have I even done the temporary coverup? No, that
> would be too sensible. Yeah, it's next on my list. 
> So, next question, will the boot from a PS rack fit a manual one?  I got a
> set of boots for the 16V a while back, but got those done while I was 500
> miles from home (and the parts). How bad of a bitch is that job? It scares
> the bejeezus out of me, to be honest.
> Cathy
> 
> 
> On 3:46:16 pm 06/25/06 "Greg Pallett" <greg.rocco@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Well - the lesson I learned this weekend is to check your boots
>> (sttering rack and CV) and replace them pronto if they're split or
>> cracked. Once while poking around under my car, Dan Bubb noticed I
>> had a completely useless steering rack boot, and that the inner ends
>> of the tie rods were pretty worn.
>> So he and I finally get around to replacing them.  Upon further
>> inspection, it wasn't the tie rods that were bad - my steering rack
>> was totally shot. Oodles and boatloads of grit and grime had worked
>> their way into the rack, creating an enormous amount of wear. The
>> internal bushings were shot.  There was a definite amount of movement
>> (and a 'clunk) as the steering rack would shift around. On the side
>> with the worthless boot, when the inner part of the steering rack
>> would move out, you could see all kinds of grooves worn into it. *sad
>> face* So we changed gears.  One lightly used steering rack, my new
>> tie rods and boots, and a  LOT  of oil/grit/sludge later (my car will
>> NEVER rust!) I have a new steering rack.
>> The plus is a more direct steering feel.
>> The moral of the story is to check your boots.  Replace your CV joint
>> boot with some ducttape, a plastic bag, and zipties if you have to.
>> Replace them!  Don't be like me!
>>
>> Thanks to Dan Bubb for his help (he did most of it) and the parts.
>>
>> GP
>> --
>> 84 Scirocco Wolfsberg - The Red Baron aka Weekend FunWagen
>> 91 Jetta - Still needs a name aka DailyBattleWagen
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> 
> 
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