What is the point of the steering shaft boot?

JC316 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-07, 06:03 PM

On the steering shaft, there is a rubber boot that covers the steering U-joint, what is the point of it and will it hurt the car to leave it off?

I have wrestled with that god damned mother ****ing thing for the last two hours, I am bloody and pissed off beyond words, so I am bout to just LEAVE the damned thing off .

misfit6794 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-24-07, 07:15 PM

The reason its there is to prevent rust and weathering on the steering u-joint, a pretty crucial part. I'd imagine it also keeps in whatever lubricant is on the joint. If it was my car I'd put it back on, or hire someone to.

Ur7x · #3 (**permalink**) 05-24-07, 08:37 PM

If you are talking about the vinyl boot that covers the intermediate shaft...

Warm it up with a hair dry... when it is warm it is easy to push out of the way.

**Playdrv4me** · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-07, 10:49 PM

Yea, the design of the ISS is shitty to begin with and its KNOWN to dry out, if you leave the boot off your just asking for even more trouble. Any other car Id say you might get away leaving it off, but not on this one.