Does anyone know the correct precedure for replacing steering boots? Does it have to be done by a shop with specialized bushing tools?

thanks for the advice..

Seth Johnson, 1983 240 158K in North Dakota

We just did the ones on my son's 82 GLT last week. Simply loosen the nut that locks the tie rod to its "end". Mark the threads on the rod where they enter the tie rod end (I used a file to mark the thread). Using the flat on the rod use a wrench to unscrew the rod until it is seperated from the tie rod end. Remove the nut. Remove remnants of old boot. Clean rod and apply something like Armorall to act act lube and slide the new boot on. Screw nut onto rod. Insert rod into end and return the rod to its original postion in relation to the tie rod end. Bring the nut down and tighten it against the tie rod end to lock the tie rod and prevent further turning. Position boot and add zip ties. Trim zip ties. Repeat other side. Have a Guinness.

Randy

Hey it worked great,
Now for Cuervo!

You blew the procedure! He said Guiness, not Cuervo!

No, it is easy to remove the tie rod end and then get the boot off. All you need is the ball joint separater, such as the sturdy and cheap press-type one from JCWhitney ($15) and a small bottle jack to put pressure on the tie rod end when you have to tighten up the steering arm nut. If you lossen the tie rod lock nut just a bit, then separate the steering arm, you can remove the tie rod end counting turns, slip the boot off and reverse it all, without messing up alignment.

"Can tie rods on Volvo 240's be removed easily without special tools to replace boots?"

Yes, depending on your definition of "special."

"...done by a shop with specialized bushing tools?"

Absolutely not.

"Does anyone know the correct precedure for replacing steering boots?"

Yes.













Did you want one of us to tell you how?
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

Unscrew tie rod from tie rod end, counting the turns.
Replace boot.
Screw tie rod into tie rod end, same number of turns, lock nut.
Bushing tools?
--
Jim McDonald