so i'm almost finished with my clutch install, but unfortunately when i removed the steering rack i tore the rubber boots on the outer tie rods. i was wondering if anybody knew how to replace these and how to fill them with grease?

the rubber boot is what i need to replace.

 

This is kinda hard to explain but the ruber boot is attached to a metal ring at the bottom which sort of fits onto the top of the tie rob end. If you look where the tie rod is a bronze color it meets the bottom of the rubber boot which is a silver color. You need to use a hammer or screwdriver two pry that silver ring off the tie rod. This wall take the entire boot of with it. You can try to use a socket and place it over the bottom of the tie rod so that it just catches the edge of the silver ring. Then bang it off with a hammer and it will take of the entire ring and boot with it.

Then you can take the new boot, fill it with a good amount of grease before you put it on, and then place it over the end of the tie rod. Again you can try tapping it on with a hammer. The best thing to do is find a socket that fits over the rubber boot and makes contact with the entire silver ring. Then you can place the tie rod on the floor, and use the socket to hammer the entire rubber boot and silver ring over the tie rod applying equal pressure to all sides of the silver ring at once.

If you dont understand this let me know as I know its kind of tuff to visualize

 

im kinda having trouble figuring out how to use the socket to help me remove the "silver ring"

where am i supposed to pry it from? the red circle or the blue circle? how am i supposed to use the socket?

 

Here you go

 

You can probably get a new outer tie rod pretty cheap if its too frustrating. I didn't even know you could buy just the boot.

 

Tie rods are surprisingly expensive new, and I wouldn't buy on used as it might be worn out.

 

A new tie rod was $35. I had to replace the right tie rod because the bolt got messed up by the tie rod puller. I just need to replace the rubber boot on the left side. Is this really a pain to do? Or is it as easy as it seems?

 

If you can get a socket that is the right size and you have grease, then its really easy.

should take 5 min