Patent ID: 8220127

Claim:
A method of applying to a tie rod shaft of a steering rack assembly, a boot which is able to stretch sufficiently to pass over a tie rod end, the method comprising applying over the tie rod end a sleeve of flexible sheet material, the sleeve having a closed end within which the tie rod end lies, and sliding the boot over the tie rod end by sliding the boot over the sleeve which thereby provides a smooth surface for passage of the boot, wherein the sleeve is of a length to extend over a threaded connection and associated lock nut by which the tie rod end is coupled to the tie rod shaft, wherein the sleeve is of a length to extend along the tie rod shaft to a position close to that at which an outer end of the boot will lie when installed so as to protect the boot from damage and contamination while it is moved along a major part of the length of the shaft, and wherein the flexible sheet material is of a wall thickness and strength such that it will not be pierced by rough or sharp edges as may exist on components of a steering rack assembly, whereby the sleeve will isolate these edges to thereby prevent their damaging the boot during passage over the sleeve, and wherein the sleeve has, at its closed end, an angled corner extending to a lower edge of the sleeve.