Steering Gear Boot and Breather Tube Replacement - Off Vehicle Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS)

Tools Required

J 22610 Service Boot Clamp Installer

1. Remove the outer tie rod. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement .
2. Remove the rack and pinion gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

Important: All boot parts must be replaced when replacing the inner tie rod.

3. Remove and discard the small seal retaining clamp (1).



4. Remove and discard the large seal retaining clamp (1) from the rack and pinion boot (2) with side cutters.




Important: 

•	Do not cut the end of the boot or place a screwdriver between boot and tie rod. Damage to the gear assembly may result.

•	Mark the location of the breather tube from the gear assembly before removal of the boot.

•	After removing the boot, inspect the inner tie rod for evidence of corrosion or contamination. If none is evident, continue with the repair. If corrosion or contamination is evident, replace the steering gear.

5. Firmly pull rack and pinion boot (1) and breather tube from the gear.

Discard the rack and pinion boot (1).

Important: The arrows (2) on the boot must be aligned with the range (1) on the gear housing.

1. Apply grease provided to inside of rack and pinion boot ribs (4).
2. Place the new large seal retaining clamp (3) onto rack and pinion boot (4).
3. Align the breather tube with the mark made during removal with the molded nipple of the boot.
4. Install boot (4) over inner tie rod end. Align the arrows (2) on boot (4) with the range (1) marked on the gear housing.



5. Install the new small seal retaining clamp (2) over the boot (1).
6. Slide the boot (1) towards the center of the gear assembly until the boot seats in the inner tie rod retaining groove.




Important: The boot (1) must not be twisted, puckered or out of shape in any way. If the rack and pinion boot (1) is not shaped properly, adjust by hand before installing the boot clamps (3, 4). Be sure arrows on the boot (1) align with range on the gear housing.

7. Crimp the large seal retaining clamp (4) on boot (1) with J 22610 .
8. Crimp the small seal retaining clamp (3) to inner tie rod assembly (2) with J 22610 .
9. Install the rack and pinion gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .
10. Install the outer tie rod. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement .