djt5150
06-17-2009, 01:54 PM
Don't bother buying the stock boot clamps. I went to Realoem.com and looked up part numbers for the tie rods (comes as one complete unit - inner and outer), boots, and clamps. Ordered everything from autohaus (along with a couple of rear sway bar links).
Got the stuff last night and installed it. The OEM boot clamps take a special tool to tighten and crimp the clamp in position. I don't have that tool, and neither do you. So they are useless and now reside at the bottom of my garage trash can.
Just go to autozone and get the "CV boot clamp kit" (2 clamps per package). These are the exact width of the slot in the boot.
They are also easy to install, and they get really tight. Careful, though, you don't want the small end too tight. Bentley pointed out that the boot needs to slide around the tie-rod so that it doesn't twist when the tie-rod is adjusted during an alignment procedure. That's why they tell you to lightly grease where the boot straps to the tie rod.
Anyways, hope that helps someone.
Got the stuff last night and installed it. The OEM boot clamps take a special tool to tighten and crimp the clamp in position. I don't have that tool, and neither do you. So they are useless and now reside at the bottom of my garage trash can.
Just go to autozone and get the "CV boot clamp kit" (2 clamps per package). These are the exact width of the slot in the boot.
They are also easy to install, and they get really tight. Careful, though, you don't want the small end too tight. Bentley pointed out that the boot needs to slide around the tie-rod so that it doesn't twist when the tie-rod is adjusted during an alignment procedure. That's why they tell you to lightly grease where the boot straps to the tie rod.
Anyways, hope that helps someone.