Needs help in replacing passenger-side steering rack boot

I have a 1987 Cressida and I'm trying to replace the steering rack boots. On the passenger side, the boot is in two pieces because it has a steering damper attached to the rack there. In order to replace the boot, I have to remove the damper support bracket. There are two nuts on the back side of that bracket that, according to the service manual, require three special tools to remove and/or install:
                                                                   
- From tool set 09612-24013 (Steering Gear Housing Overhaul Tool Set)  I need  09617-24010 (Steering Rack Wrench) and 09631-22050 (Steering Damper Bracket Nut Wrench)
- From tool set 09612-10093 (Steering Gear Housing Overhaul Tool Kit) I need 09628-10020 (Ball Joint Lock Nut Wrench)

I'm leery of simply placing a big-ol' wrench on the nuts because I'm afraid the lateral pressure will damage the rack seals.  Here's what the nuts look like"





Anybody have any ideas? Where could I get those special tools I mentioned above?

I finally got the repair made (after shopping online for tools, going to every auto parts store in town, etc.). I was able to get the big lock nut off (after I figured out that it was a right-hand thread using a big Crescent Wrench, while bracing the rack so as to not put stress on it) then I had to make a tool (by grinding an old wrench so it would fit in the narrow space required) to remove the inner tie rod. I'm sorry I wasn't able to find the exact tools I needed, because that would have allowed me to use my torque wrench for installation...so (I'm sorry to say) I had to estimate the required 43 ft/lbs torque for both the lock nut and the tie rod end. Anyway, I got every thing installed (did both sides and used Toyota parts) and now it's off to the alignment shop (even though I adjusted the "toe in" pretty much back to where it was).

Thanks for sharing!

These are such a pain. Seeing as you don't have the damper shock on yours, you also could have put a left hand inner tie rod and boot on in place of the right hand and done away with the mount. Most of or shocks are garbage, and a couple hundred bucks you really don't need it. Urethane rack bushings make one hell of a difference also.

theghiaisred wrote:These are such a pain. Seeing as you don't have the damper shock on yours, you also could have put a left hand inner tie rod and boot on in place of the right hand and done away with the mount. Most of or shocks are garbage, and a couple hundred bucks you really don't need it. Urethane rack bushings make one hell of a difference also.

AHA! that didn't occur to me..I actually do have the damper (it's not readily apparent in the photos), so I hooked it back up. But if I had known what you just told me I would have done exactly what you suggested. I'll keep that information for the next time (ha...the first one lasted 27 years). Thanks again for the info!!!

The final product...