torsion bar boots, installation trick?

[hemi68charger]

Hey gang..
OK, I've been extremely lucky over the past couple of decades and have always been able to reuse the original torsion bar boots. But, this time, no-go on my buddy's '71 Chally. Sooooooo, any tricks to get the boot's small diameter opening over the large hex head of the bar? I don't want to force the issue at the risk of ripping the boot..

Thanks..

[tan top]

 
warmed them up with a hairdryer & coated  the bars with grease    

[hemi68charger]

Got it... I used my 15/16 1/2" drive socket. It had a somewhat cone shape to it. Being that it was round, the opening of the boot slipped over it with some grease and then I place the socket with the boot on it on top of the hex-head of the torsion bar. Being the socket was the same size as the head of the torsion bar, the boot, when pushed down, slid over the torsion bar and voila! 

[tan top]

       

[WHITE AND RED 69]

The best way I have done it was to cut a long transmission funnel and place it on the end of the torsion bar and the boot slides right on. 

[bill440rt]

I soaked them in very hot water for a few minutes, then slid them on with some grease. Seemed to do the trick.