I'm still here though I have to borrow a computer to keep in touch. Hopefully I can get a new computer soon. About the boot. I took the auger out of the tube and then took the tube and boot off. I used a side grinder the remove the rivets and used 1_4" round head screws in the place of the rivets. Make sure of the position of the tube in relation to the new boot. Shouldn't be a problem as old holes in the tube should line up with the new collar. I had no problem installing new boot and it was one of the best improvements I have made. Hope this helps. T3