Can I do this?
 

I need to change the boot on my steering rack. The advice I received said to undo the ball joint and unthread the tie rod.

There is a fork at the inboard end of the tie rod that attaches to the steering rack; couldn’t I just pull that bolt to get the tie rod out of the way? What are the negatives?

Has anyone done it this way?

What type of tie rods do you have (Turbo or Original)?

I know (for sure) if you have the turbo rods that slipping the boot off the rod and rack is EASY once the tie rod end is removed from the spindle (with a suitable pickle fork). No need to remove the tie rod from the rack. Replacing the boot may be a little harder as you may have limited working room to slip the boot back onto the rack and secure it with the retaining spring.

Sorry, cant remember for sure how difficult the job is with the OEM tie rods.