Steering: Tie rod boots

[Flthdchamp]

Hello all,
I’m in the process of replacing inner and outer tie rods and center link on my 50 champion. I notice the boots on the new outer tie rods and center link have metal disks that cover the base which my old parts didn’t have. Are these necessary?
I’ve attached a pic below.

[Jeffry Cassel]

Don't 'spose they are 'necessary' but they seem like a good idea and might help protect the rubber boot.

[StudeRich]

Some Years of Pre-1951 did have Washers to help hold and protect the Grease from contaminants. Certainly does no harm.

You may have NORS Aftermarket Rod Ends like: NAPA, Moog, McQuay Norris and others that used their own version of the OEM Studebaker Parts.

[Flthdchamp]

Once I took the center link out I saw that it was similar to the new one with the metal disks but the inner and outer tie rods didnt have them. I’m assuming they’re a good thing and left them on when I replaced all the steering linkage. Now, time for an alignment.

[Warren Webb]

I've replaced some of mine with polyurethane boots in the past. Nice thing about them is they don't get all torn up from a pickle fork if you need to separate them later.