Steering rack gaiter quality

[Declan_Burns]

Probably the same principle that Winger posted above.
This is currently on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MORRIS-MINOR-STEE ... 7C294%3A50
It says:MORRIS MINOR STEERING RACK GAITOR / BOOT KIT (FULL KIT)
UNIQUE KIT NO NEED TO REMOVE TRACK ROD ENDS! FREE TOOL
Might be worth contacting the seller. Could be worth a try?
It states: INSTALL OVER THE TRACK ROD END WITH THE FREE FITTING CONE-NO RE-TRACKING NEEDED

It probably has expanding features like a condom!

[LordAnthony]

I've just ordered a set.
I have got a couple of gaiters from one of the Minor specialists which I was reluctant to fit because they didn't seem quite flexible enough.
I'll let you know how I get on.

[M25VAN]

Searching for the brand name I found this usefull info....

http://www.bailcast.com/en-gb/duraboot-sr-range

Shows fitting instructions.

[bmcecosse]

The stretching over the TRE will be a nightmare. It SO simple to pop the TRE off and do the job properly!

[rayofleamington]

Yes, grease might be better.

if grease was better they wouldn't have designed it for use with oil.

[LordAnthony]

Bmcecosse - it's the quality of the gaiters I was more concerned with rather than their abililty to slide over the TRE.
I'm thinking that if they can slide over the TRE then they must be strong and flexible and therefore will last a while longer than the standard ones.

[winger300]

Yes, those Duraboot ones are the generic version I saw, I wasn't sure if they would need trimming down to fit the Minor, but the ebay item looks good. I'll order those.

Thanks

[LordAnthony]

Finally got round to fitting the duraboots. I couldn't believe that they would stretch over the TRE but with a bit of grease and some persuasion with a couple of flat bladed screwdrivers to widen the hole they went on fine.
I recommend taking the grease nipples off as it makes t a bit easier.
They do seem quite good quality so hopefully they'll last a fair while.

[bmcecosse]

Amazing!

[winger300]

i just fitted mine over the weekend.

They certainly do seem tough, and slipped over the track rod ends without too much trouble after I softened them up in hot water.

I found the large end was too small to stretch over the steering rack housing though, but they were a bit longer than the original boots, they can be cut to size at three different points, so I cut them down to leave a larger hole. They went straight on then.

I'd certainly recommend them.

[LordAnthony]

Yes indeed - I forgot to say about the cutting. From memory, mine had to be cut to the widest fitting.
I used hot water for the first side but found it just as easy without for the second side.

[Chipper]

The gaiters on my saloon, which I've owned for just over a year, have also suddenly perished on both sides and let out all the grease! They were fine when I bought the car.

I've noticed that the modern replacements are made of a very floppy, thin rubber.

[mike.perry]

Gaiters lasting a whole year?
A very well known Minor company released a car back to the owner after a 100% restoration. The car was delivered on a trailer then driven 4 miles for an MOT which it passed. The car had been fitted with modified M1000 swivel pins and the owner wanted the original Series MM swivels fitted. It was whilst changing one of the swivels that we noticed a pool of oil under the steering rack and a large split in the gaiter.
In case anyone is not aware, it is easier to use cable ties to secure the ends of the gaiters. If you want originality, use a jubillee clip afterwards then cut off the ties