Lacking the proper tools for removing the ball joint and not wanting to risk damaging the rubber boot around the ball joint I took a different approach. I carefully marked the position of the tie rod end and removed it from the tie rod. I just had to slightly loosen the nut that secures the tie rod end and then unscrew the tie rod from the tie rod end, counting the number of rotations. Old boot is off, awaiting arrival of new boot.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

- ark

> On Aug 26, 2024, at 6:40 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> All you have to do is drop the tie rod end, then loosen and unscrew and remove the end from the tie rod. With the end off, the rubber boot will slide right off. Otherwise the hole in the boot is too small to go over the end. Be sure to count the turns it takes to remove the end so you can screw it back in the same number of turns. Otherwise you will need an alignment.
> 
> Jim
> 
> On Mon, Aug 26, 2024 at 8:26 AM Mark McCulley <mark@markmcculley.com <mailto:mark@markmcculley.com>> wrote:
>> One boot on my van's steering rack is torn and needs to be replaced. What's the best way to go about this? Can I just disconnect tie rod end to R&R boot? 
>> 
>> -Mark