Ok.. so dumb question..

I went to try replacing the tie rod rubbers today.. but when I tried to remove the bolt from the tie rod (at the hub end)... it seems too big to be removed. When I try to lift it, it just fowls the CV boot. By the time the bolt hits the CV boot - I would estimate there's around 5 mm left.

Is there any trick to getting it out?

It should only need to be long enough to get a nut on the end. If you really get stuck you could pop off the ball joint to give more room

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Try jacking the hub up, it should open up the gap enough to wiggle the bolt out.