I just installed new outer tie rods and they came with dust boots - has someone done this, and if so did you keep the dust boots on?

Just seems really hard to tighten with the dust boots

Any feedback / ideas will be appreciated

Thanks

 

Guys ! any comments would be welcome! is it a dumb question that nobody answered?

 

The rubber dust boot should not make tightening any harder. You really should use them.

 

When you say rubber, it has a conotation of something soft - the boots I am talking about are plastic-like but rather rigid ... are these only for shipping protection? (I am feeling more and more dumb)

I have been told pictures are worth a thousand words - first picture is my driver side with the new outer tie rod bolted to the spindle ...I am afraid to tighten too much and to bust the rubber boot - second picture is my passenger side where I just fitted this hard plastic protection to illustrate what I am talking about

So which is the correct approach? driver or passenger side?

Thanks

[IMG]local://upfiles/62696/D36A68B838B34316A5D810F7A0D6DBF7.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/62696/FA1946A23A3142ED956541C1EF688B52.jpg[/IMG]

 

pic one is correct

 

That is a dust boot,it needs to be there.It keeps sand grit and road grime from getting into your tie rod end and eating it up.
Jeff

 

OK - Thanks guys!

 

In pic 1 you should be 30-40 ft lbs, so over tightening should not be a concern.