I'm in the middle of my engine swap and tore the tie-rod ball joint boot. Now I need to replace them.

So I've tried every possible way to remove the boot without any luck. I've torn away most of rubber and I cannot figure out how to pull off that set ring!

Can anyone give me any pointers? Thanks in advance.

 

At the base of the boot should be a ring. Works much like a keyring. It looks like two separate steel rings and what I do is use a small flat head screwdriver, get it in between the two and pry on it, follow it to the opening. Expand, then remove. Easy once you figure it out.

 

Gotcha, thanks

Now to reinstall them...