The new clutch rod boot I installed has a metal ring molded inside the rubber where the rod goes in and out. I put some lithium grease on the rod but it still wants to drag a bit and is noisy.

Old one did not have the metal ring. Should I just remove it and let the rod slide in and out of just the rubber?

Thanks, Mike

Answered this myself. I removed the metal ring inside the new clutch boot and the rod slides in and out smoothly now..