new tie rod lower ball joint boot install question.

[lamboman]

I am in the middle of replacing the steering rack boots...got them on (tricky) dont really like the plastic dmch clamps.But my question is on the ball joint tie rod new boots.i have 2 small clips (one for each ball joint)...do these go on top of the boot (wedged between the new rubber boot and steering knuckle?...or are they supposed to be spread a bit to go in the upper part of the boot groove?.dont know what tool would spread them like that to install.thanks.

[jawn101]

If you're talking about what I think you are (post pics if I'm wrong) then the rings go in the groove on the outside of the boot, to hold it in place. The tool you use is the attached:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41hR2%2BFfxWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[DrJeff]

When I did mine recently... there was a circular "clip" (like a spring in a circle) around the grove at the bottom of the boot. The spring just needed to be lifted/stretched into place. It held the bottom of the boot in a groove on the tie rod end. I did recover two "washers" from the top of the old (original?) Boot. One looked like it was embedded in the rubber at the neck of the old boot and the other looked like it sat above the boot and below the knuckle. The new boot didn't have an embedded ring at the top of the boot, possibly because the modern day materials don't need it.
Jeff
#6313

[lamboman]

Here is a link to the part


http://store.delorean.com/p-7316-clip-lower-ball-joint.aspx

[lamboman]

I re used the larger springs for the bottom of the boot. I also greased the inside before boot install

[jawn101]

Here is a link to the part


http://store.delorean.com/p-7316-clip-lower-ball-joint.aspx

Oh. Screw that thing. I just used stainless safety wire, which is what Dave S told me to do! :) Good enough for him, good enough for me.

http://www.harborfreight.com/0041-inch-stainless-steel-lock-wire-1-lb-coil-8895.html

[lamboman]

guess it is not that important a part.the stainless wire looks like a much easier idea.

[jawn101]

guess it is not that important a part.the stainless wire looks like a much easier idea.

Well, it's important to secure the top of the boot. But that stupid ring is more trouble than it's worth.