Went for an alignment and found out my steering boots are all twisted. What's going on here? I didnt fit these on the car nor the cable ties. Are there meant to be clips either end of the boot or does the boot stay in place on its own? Access is really tight. Garage suggested changing inner and outer track rods which I am in the process of doing today.
I've had this. It shows that when they did the tracking they didn't bother to undo the tiewrap before adjusting the length of the steering arm, hence twisting the boot. Very annoying! No doubt this will shorten the life of the boot too! Probably best remove the tiewrap and un-twist. Using a tiewrap to secure it should be fine.
Thanks Andy! Did look a right mess. Sadly Stealth did the last alignment. I have replaced inner and outer track rods and done new boots too. One side had actually slipped off the rack end. I was also getting an infrequent clonk on reversing into parking bays after driving for some time so that was my other reason to do the the track rods. There was no play at 9 and 3 however I have changed everything else (driveshafts, ball joints, bearings bushes, springs, top mounts etc!)
As I recall there is a tube between the two boots to allow the air to pass as the boots get shorter/longer as you turn. I guess one came off the rack because it couldn't stretch like bellows do because it was twisted.
Most cars have hard plastic boots, so no attention required from alignment guy. I did it the other day on my jetta, good thing i was around and saw it get mashed up, the guy would not see it being under.
Yeah I noticed when installing these and doing a driveway alignment the boots grab ans little and then spin without clips installed. Any problem in leaving the outer clips not installed? The outer part sits in a groove on track rod.
there are supposed to be clips, but the boots can still be twisted easy enough even when clips are fitted just a 5 second job missed off the list when you do alignment
Anyone got any tips on a good tool that will enable proper clips to be installed when the subframe is on car? I have a tool but impossible to use in the space avaialble. I've got a tool like this but no space to use it without the subframe being off car https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15170029...xieRtT2FXOMUsHnpUB7M|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2047675
Rubber boots are fine with zip ties. not like plastic ones. I use a cutting pliers when space is really tight. One of these could work,but, they're not cheap! https://www.lasertools.co.uk/Product/7316/CV-Boot-Clamp-Pliers-3-8-inch-drive
side cutters/nips is all I use on these the main problem is access. lots of swearing helps. the above tool is a bit overkill, but as said if you're doing plastic CV joint boots you definitely, 100% need one
Cheers, perhaps i'll look out for some longer reach snip/cutting pliers. I hate doing inner track rod boots with subframe in car. Even using zip ties on the inboard side is difficult to get decent tension.
