OMG! Tie-rod boot spring horror

[craigmakes3]

Frustrating night under the car. (81 sc) Putting on new tie rods, butchered the boot install. On the first, I broke the spring. On the second, I couldn't get the boot to seat in the metal groove at the top, and can't get my fingers or any other tools up there to help.

Am I screwing up by not removing the boot spring from the steering rack completely while I install the tie rod and boot? It just seems onerous to slide the spring over the entire length of the boot to get it into it's groove. But by leaving it on the rack as I did, the spring itself seems to interfere with the boot seating at the top of the tie rod, because the spring doesn't move over enough to clear the groove.

Annoyed! Any advice would be appreciated.

[porsche930dude]

its been so long since i did mine but i think i put the spring on the boot and greased up the rack to slide it on by pushing the whole boot in. then stretch out the boot pull the outer into place

[steely]

Does this help? I though I recalled that one guy used a zip tie.
911 Turbo Tie Rod boot clamp question

[Jtt84911]

I remember thinking I was losing my mind because of how long it was taking to get those larger diameter spring clamps (inner ones) into position to fit int the groove....when I did my TTR replacements years ago.

Finally......I turned the steering wheel all the way to the max position and found it was much easier.....once the rubber boot was compressed.

Regards,
JT

[88911coupe]

JT is right, and I recall this being a major PITA! however I think I ended up using some very heavy duty "dental picks" from harbor freight to work it on the groove. Wish I could be more specific but I think I tried to erase the whole job from my memory!

[Targalid]

It was easy! After about an hour of frustrating failure I called a kid over: "Hey kid, come here. Put this on." "There you go dad" was the next sound I heard.