Changin Steering Gaiters

[davew1949]

Both steering gaiters are split so I have new ones to put on. It occurred to a pal of mine that the steering rods must twist or else you wouldn't be able to adjust the tracking. Would it therefore be easier to just unscrew the steering rod completely from the track ends to slip the gaiters on, rather than go to the trouble of releasing the taper joint from the steering arm, then unscrewing the track rod ends from the steering rod?

Sorry if this has been answered before, but I have searched and couldn't find an answer.
Thanks
Dave

[panky]

It would be possible I guess but easy enough to split the ball joint with a splitter, I use the scissor type - never let me down. Sometimes the worst job is undoing the lock nut on the arm, give it a good soaking in penetrating oil for a few days before you start the job.
There are also some good gaiters around that will actually stretch over the track rod end, they were mentioned on here a few weeks ago so a message board search should bring them up.

[bmcecosse]

As above - but slacken that locknut (but don't move it or you will lose the tracking...) before releasing the ball joint. It's only a 30 minute job each side. And of course - be sure to regrease the rack when finished.

[mike.perry]

Secure the inner end with a cable tie, much easier than fiddling about with Jubillee clips

[davew1949]

Many thanks for the info guys. I am about to embark on the job, so wish me luck. Bound to be more difficult than I imagine. Often the most difficult job is getting the car up high enough to get underneath properly.
Cheers.

[mike.perry]

You should not need to get underneath, access through the wheel arch should be enough

[biomed32uk]

I have just done this job, and its easy. I kept with the metal type clips as they seem more secure, and doing a ty wrap up on the inner one would also be awkward I think.

I replaced the cross head screw with a 3mm cap screw, you can than get a ball end allen key on it and much easier to tighten up.