alantr4 Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Is there a trick to getting a new gaitor onto the drivers side ? I decided to replace the steering rack boots and now find it is impossible to get the new drivers side one over where it has to be secured at the "fat" end .Is there some super trick I dont know about or is it a case of removing the rack and doing the job on a bench ??? I kinda of hope this is not the case!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bald Rick Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Hi Alan I found the same problem with my TR6. Apparently the gaiters are intended for the Sprite/Midget racks but have been used on TR's for some time. I couldn't get the bloody thing to fit either and neither of them looked right on the rack especially at full lock where they looked very stretched. Eventually I bought some universal ones via the internet that fitted fine. They had about twice the number of convolutions. Can't remember where I got them but it didn't take much of a search to find them. Hope this helps Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alantr4 Posted December 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Hi Alan I found the same problem with my TR6. Apparently the gaiters are intended for the Sprite/Midget racks but have been used on TR's for some time. I couldn't get the bloody thing to fit either and neither of them looked right on the rack especially at full lock where they looked very stretched. Eventually I bought some universal ones via the internet that fitted fine. They had about twice the number of convolutions. Can't remember where I got them but it didn't take much of a search to find them. Hope this helps Tony I got these from TRGB and Im generally very happy with their parts. im sure these are designed to fit over snuggly but I just cant see how you get them into postition.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwifrog Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 Alan, Its not nice but you have to just hook a couple of fingers in under the rubber and pull luke hell to stretch them enough to get them on. I Have done it a couple of times now on different cars and the first time I thought I would split the boot but they do stretch an awfull long way. Cheers Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jerrytr5 Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Have you tried warming your rubber in near-boiling water before fitting and/or using a little rubber lube? Ooo-er missus. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bald Rick Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 I got these from TRGB and Im generally very happy with their parts. im sure these are designed to fit over snuggly but I just cant see how you get them into postition.. That's where I got mine from as well and they did tell me they were not easy to fit and suggested hot water and lubricant. I have no complaints about TRGB, I even bought my car from them and always have excellent service on parts etc. But I still couldn't fit the bloody boots though. Too old & too arthritic I guess! That's why I opted for an easier to fit set. Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sean7575 Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Try this:- - fold the end of the gaiter back on itself by about an inch - push the gaiter up against the rack where you want it to fit - unfold the gaiter while keeping if pushed up against the rack This should result in getting about 1/2 an inch onto the rack so you can pull it on the rest of the way. It may not work first time but after a couple of attempts it's worked for me. Still a bl*$dy fiddly job however! Good luck & happy new year! Sean. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Slide inside the gaiter a couple of thin, aluminium shoe horns, coated with grease and disposed on opposite sides - these form a slide up which the gaiter can be pushed to get it over the knuckle. In fact, any thin sheet of metal would help. I agree - it is a sod of a job! Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shuey Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 just redone mine fortunatly off the car i used a wire hook loads of grease and even more cursing affter fitting when the rack goes from lock to lock the o/s boot blows up like a balloon should there be a vent in it ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 Hi Alan, had similar problems, found that the Moss supplied gaiters had diiferent diameter ends compared to the rack. Having good speaks with the Moss man he came to the conclusion that MG gaiters would fit the right side but haven't got a clue about the left (nearside) gaiter - how many different steering racks are out there!!! Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alantr4 Posted January 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Thanks for all the advice. I ended folding the last inch back then heating it gently with a torch . i applied a little grease to the metal that it had to go over and it popped on nicely.another trick learned! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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