Idea

[Stwdv]

This is the way I am protecting the new bearing
It's a ball joint rubber cover

[Stwdv]

I used a tie rap to hold to the column so the boot turns with it
The hole in the plate is slightly smaller than the boot so there is a slight lip seal
The boot is also packed with grease
That way the rubber doesn't get stressed
But anything that keeps the water out is good