ATTENTION MUTAINT AND BIG UNIT
Growing up on a farm and doing lots of mechanical repairs thru the years as well as custom race car fabrication, a lot of this is just another day at the office for me so seeing over the years some people on the forums do not have a place or tools to do these things, I always try to explain in detail. Might be overkill for some but bear with me for the benefit of others.
As time goes by, we as a group are going to have to do these things ourselves or find friends with the skills or independent shops willing to attempt them.
Since you two guys have these already and may be installing them soon, I thought I should point out a couple of things. I have my spare rack set up so I could review how I did this. I have a spare sleeve I can use to mock this up.
This will also be an install thread I will move up to the start when I get it done.
First thing is you two need to know this before you try to install. I see that I had to grind off both ends of the sleeve where there is a taper. They tell me that is the way they are made and there is not an option. So it takes just a little grinding to make them fit snug down in the space between the hydraulic line fitting and rack end nut. Truly a custom fit. It will help retain the sleeve as well.
I will do this on the ones I have coming so they will be ready to install.
This shot without grinding that taper shows it would sit on the rack end nut. Not good, it should go down flush to the tube.
This first shot also shows the cut side and how it allows the bracket to "crush" the halves together. I put the teeth on the bottom in the actual install. I wanted the "halves to be front to back so the halves are pushed together.
If the bushing is not tight after putting the bracket on the only option is to remove the bracket and grind a little on the back side of that bracket where it contacts the other surface on the back side under the bolts.
Be sure and clean any metal shavings off the rack, like I see in this picture so as not to damage the seal during movement!
This is after I ground off the taper.
It has been so long since I ran stock tie rods I can't remember how far on the tube the boots go.
However they will fit over the sleeve.
On my BP tie rods I had to modify the outer end of the boot but also tried to re-install some while messing with all of this. I tried a large 1/4 wide zip tie but it kept slipping off. I tried a SS hose clamp but the screw assembly would cut the boot at full lock turn because of the way my boots are compressed.
I think for stock tie rods you should get a Lysle banding tool $9.00 Part #30950 and some CV Replacement boot band clamps $.65 part# QUD 636-3003 they come 19" long AND you can use them for CV boots as it says. You should have some spares in your bag with spare tie rods anyway.
You won't need to replace your existing boot on that end if it is in good shape. But you will probably have to cut the band on there now.
I should have some new boots today I ordered from the GMC dealer. They cut me some slack but they were still $30.00 each. Need to search for a cheaper source if possible.
This is the only shot I have of a stock rack with band clamp. The bushing is on there but I'm not sure that is exactly where it goes, this is just for display.
I also want to point out I took careful consideration in comparing the thickness of the sleeve to the rubber bushing so as not to add any pressure or misalignment of the rack which would cause leverage on the other end where they break.
As always no question is a dumb question. I never claim to be an expert or engineer, I just made some practical mods that I only share after I have tested them for many miles. If I did not make something clear please point it out. I want this to be as painless as possible and solve this source of problems.
Also I should make a note that you are using the OEM bracket, so if it is designed to breakaway in an accident I don't see how this would prevent that. Those two bolts mount the bracket real solid it's the rubber bushing that is the problem, in my opinion. In case you have not seen this and I know not on here, I tried to see what would happen by adding rubber to the bushing. I was not impressed and the whole mess soon squished out from movement.