Steering rack gaitor advice needed.

[67-2door]

Hi all.
I'm about to put a new pair of steering rack gaitors on my Minor, one is split so I thought I may as well replace both. I've got the track rod end removed ok on the first side but the steel clips on the steering rack gaitor look extremely rusty and unlikely to unscrew, is it ok to cut the original clips off and refit the new gaitor using tie-wraps instead? The clips look a bit of a nightmare to get to anyway, would tie-wraps be secure enough to hold it on and keep the grease in?
Do you put a load of grease in the boot before fitting or fit it dry and then rely on pumping a load of grease/oil through the grease nipples to fill them up?
Thanks for any advice.
Neil.

[mike.perry]

Oil or grease goes in the rack not the gaiter. Cable ties are the best method of securing the gaiter unless you are keen on originality in which case I would suggest securing the the inner end with a cable tie and then fitting a jubilee clip.
Have the tracking checked afterwards.

[bmcecosse]

Cable ties are fine - use black ones so not too noticeable and trim the surplus away. Swear grease on the rack when it's exposed - can't do any harm! Be aware that some of the boots sold these days are v poor quality....... Can't see why the tracking would need checking if the TREs are put back exactly as they came off.

[mike.perry]

Roy, if you or I changed the gaiter then we would replace the TRE as it came off. If an inexperienced person did it then they might not turn the TRE the same number of threads, besides with the state of the roads with potholes and humps it does not take long to throw the steering geometry out and it is a good excuse to get it checked.

[kennatt]

just cos you screw them back on the same number of turns dos't mean that the tracking is the same as the old ones,the new ends may well be slightly longer or shorter in production so better to have the tracking checked just in case.or watch the tyre for scrubbing off.I would have them checked but everyone to their own.

[67-2door]

I'd counted the turns taking the old track rod end off but as I'm putting new ones on I was planning on having the tracking checked anyway to be safe. I'm a little concerned about the quality of the new steering rack gaitors, they do feel a bit soft & flimsey. I bought them from Andrew Eggleton Morris Minor parts (on ebay), do you think I'd be better off buying a pair from ESM or Bull Motif or similar to get better quality ones? Are they all quite thin & soft feeling nowadays? I dont want to have to do the job again in a few months for the sake of a fiver or so.

[aupickup]

they will all be the same

[bmcecosse]

Just fit them and hope for the best - do come back and tell us if they fail. Didn't realise new TREs were going on - easy enough to check the track. DO make sure the TREs are screwed on same number of turns on both sides.

[chickenjohn]

Yes, count the turns on the TRE and all should be fine, and I used two large black cable ties on each end to hold the gaiter in two years ago on the convertible and all is still well. (i.e. 4 cable ties per gaiter).

[67-2door]

Well, the first side is done. New steering rack gaitor fitted along with new track rod end and wheel bearing.
If the weather is ok tomorrow I'll have to push it out of the garage, turn it round and back in the garage to do the other side (only enough room to work down one side of the car at once ).
Thanks for the tips.

[bmcecosse]

Just work outdoors in the glorious sunshine........