installing tire rods, quick question Options

[nycchef]

now that the rains have stopped and the 4 inches of water have gone it is time to install the tie rods. am i supposed to use the brass washer or the old cover (it's red now) or both. without the red piece what is gonna hold the boot in place? the rubber ring on the shaft is too small.

[r_towle]

NyChef,

The rubber boot goes on the small ring on the tie rod and the groove that is part of the rack...loose the red washer.

You MUST use the new washer. If you do not, you will have to turn out the tie rod so far that only a little bit of thread remains and its VERY dangerous.
The washer goes on the large threaded end of the tie rod and then you thread the tie rod into the rack.
You must put the boot on first. You slide it over the small part and slide it towards the middle to get it out of the way so you can thread the tie rod and get a wrench on it...
Put the small spring clamp on the tie rod first...then the boot, then the washer, then install the inner threaded portion.
make sure you put the large spring clamp on the rack before you thread in the tie rod.
Then once the inner portion is threaded and tight, you slide the rubber back towards the middle of the car and flip it onto the small end of the tie rod.
The hard part is getting the big end in place while its all in the car.
It takes patience...even if its out of the car, but you can do it.

Rich