Cool on the Zerks. I'll get mine on as soon as I can.

I wasn't implying that you left the lock nuts loose. Part of the alignment process is to loosen them for adjustment & then re-tighten. It was absolutely Firestone's fault. Even if they didn't need to make an adjustment, they should have checked that they were tight.

The extra boots are just that ... extras. It would be a shame to replace those expensive HD tie rods just because the boots cracked. Check them each time you shoot some grease in them.