Inner tie rod boot: clamp or zip tie?

[stever1000]

Has anyone replaced the factory clamp with another OEM clamp? Is a special tool required?

 

[nobb]

What's wrong with a zip tie? The AC Delco replacement steering rack boots came with zip ties. I reused the OEM clamp for the outer bellows though.

 

[stever1000]

Because I ordered new clamps without thinking about other options

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

I got this tool from NAPA
https://www.amazon.com/Qbace-Joint-...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=X202YA2PFAKN6G3JRG94

Got the banding clamps at Advance Auto Parts. Similar to these
https://www.amazon.com/CTA-Tools-42...rd_wg=zxWpT&psc=1&refRID=1W32XSN20PZFZ8PB7SJR

One note. There's another kind of clamp and pliers. The clamp has little holes and ears that notch into place then you use the pliers to pinch a protrusion together which tightens the clamp and locks it into place. When I went to advance, they had the clamps but had the wrong tool. NAPA had the tool but the other kind of clamps. Go figure.

 

[stever1000]

Has anyone replaced the factory clamp with another OEM clamp? Is a special tool required?

Bump :tongue1:

 

[RockyrT4R]

Bump :tongue1:

When replacing the OEM steering rack Boot clamp with OEM you do need a special tool, I bought New OEM clamps and tried for almost an hour to get them on. To get them on without a special tool is not possible unless you nearly destroy the clamp and your fingers while trying.
I ended up using a hose clamp with the little wing nut/handle and it has held up great! Technically you don't have to have a super clamp on the boot because it has a lip and is pretty tight around the rack.

 

[stever1000]

When replacing the OEM steering rack Boot clamp with OEM you do need a special tool, I bought New OEM clamps and tried for almost an hour to get them on. To get them on without a special tool is not possible unless you nearly destroy the clamp and your fingers while trying.
I ended up using a hose clamp with the little wing nut/handle and it has held up great! Technically you don't have to have a super clamp on the boot because it has a lip and is pretty tight around the rack.

Thanks for the info - a little disappointing since I already have the clamps...

I also got a response from another member that they were able to use large vice grips to press the clamps:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1213883-post56.html

Which sounds like it will work great, but I have not crawled under and tried yet...

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Thanks for the info - a little disappointing since I already have the clamps...

I also got a response from another member that they were able to use large vice grips to press the clamps:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/1213883-post56.html

Which sounds like it will work great, but I have not crawled under and tried yet...

I described in my post what is needed. There are 2 types of clamps using 2 different tools.
This is, what I believe, the OEM clamps use which should look like these

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-30800-Boot-Clamp-Pliers/dp/B0002SREPY

It pinches the little piece on the clamp which cinches the clamp. The clamps look like these which can be identified by "holes" in the clamp.

https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-D...&qid=1496244884&sr=1-7&keywords=CV+boot+clamp

This is what I used.

https://www.amazon.com/OTC-4623-Joi...rd_wg=kQExR&psc=1&refRID=FXSSNMW6CYNK98FZBC96

Different kind of clamp. Like these.

https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Vehic...qid=1496244884&sr=1-11&keywords=CV+boot+clamp

Hope this helps.

 

[stever1000]

I described in my post what is needed. There are 2 types of clamps using 2 different tools.
This is, what I believe, the OEM clamps use which should look like these

Hope this helps.

Yes that was very helpful, I will look for that tool if I can't get it to cinch with the vice grips.

Cheers

 

[eanema]

I did this job last fall and like [MENTION=104762]TakeitApart[/MENTION] previously mentioned, I would recommend using two wraps of stainless steel lock/safety wire. You will get it much tighter than you can with a zip-tie, just make sure the end is not pointing towards the ground for clearance. This is how the boot on the upper ball join comes from Toyota

 

[LittleCaesar]

This is the correct tool to use. Even though I am a big fan of tools, just ask the GF, if it won't be used much, then I pass on buying it:
https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-30800-Boot-Clamp-Pliers/dp/B0002SREPY

This worked for me, and should for anyone with a little patience:
https://www.amazon.com/Irwin-15-9LN...8&qid=1496257767&sr=1-1&keywords=9"+vise+grip

 

[stever1000]

Yes that was very helpful, I will look for that tool if I can't get it to cinch with the vice grips.

Cheers

I was able to use the long nose vice grips to attach the new oem clamps. Tricky until I figured out how they work and where to clamp