tie rod boot missing, problem?

ok I did the sway bar links. putting the sway bar back was a BIG pain. the angles didnt give me enough thread on the link bolt to get things on easy. I felt lucky to get one on and fiddled with the other one for the longest time. grrrrr..... ](*,)](*,)
I eventually ended up sticking on of the old bushings on first and installing the thing upside down to make it easier to get the bolt on. Then when I lowered the car the angles looked better so I popped the old bushing off and stuck the new one on this time with the bolt right side up (according to pic that came with the energy suspension links). There must be an easier way... what did I do wrong, any hints? I tried attaching the sway bar first to the K-frame and then with it loose but on, then off, nothing was working. ]

cleaned a bunch more down there and replaced the old bolts that held the sway bar.



Next thing to do with the suspension is those ball joint boots. are they hard????
:) gott'r done!! :glasses7: