Steering Rack gaitor

[1098]

I have a split in one of my gaitors. Are they difficult to remove and replace ?

Josh.

[Tom and Maria]

Not if you have a ball joint splitter (preferred) or a mallet to pop the track rod ends.

After that is free it should be very straight forward.

[les]

You don't need to split the joint, just unscrew the track rod end. Free the locknut slightly, unscrew the tre, then measure the distance from the locknut to the end of the rod before you remove the nut completely. Then when you reassemble the nut will go back in the same position and the tracking will not need redoing.
To make life easier, turn the rack on full lock for each side, doing the n/s gaiter turn wheels fully to the left, o/s to right, that way the large diameter of the gaiter will slide easier off the domed ball housing straight onto the rack body. I say easier, that's relative to other methods! You'll see what I mean when doing it!

[bmcecosse]

You won't be 'unscrewing the tre' - you will be unscrewing the track rod from the tre, which is held firmly in the steering arm unless you use a ball joint splitter. .... Easy enough job - but the quality of replacement boots these days seems to leave a lot to be desired.......unless anyone can recommend a proven good supply ??

[1098]

Thanks for the advice. I have an original BMC Gaitor, so hopefully that will help.
Once the rain has gone I'll go for it.

Josh.

[les]

Come on Roy, you know what I mean!! Agree the rubber is like most repro stuff now--crap.
A couple of years or so back I put new gaiters on the van I've just finished, had to replace them last wednesday! Not even on the road and perished!

[bmcecosse]

Yes Les - I know what you mean - but it has to be crystal clear for others to follow - perhaps many moons in the future.....when they find this old thread through the search function.......

[les]

----they might find this old thread but doubt if they will find any Minors to practice on! Especially if the spares quality doesn't improve!!

[bmcecosse]

Only too true.......

[mike.perry]

Secure the inner end of the gaiter with a cable tie, easier than a jubilee clip

[1098]

Thank you.

Josh.

[chickenjohn]

Secure the inner end of the gaiter with a cable tie, easier than a jubilee clip

Agreed! A big cable tie seems to hold the oil in just as well as the jubilee clip and is far easier to fit the access being very tight in there for a screwdriver to do up the jubilee clip on the inner end of the gaiter.

Some people say use grease in the steering rack, but I prefer to follow the proper BMC service manual and put EP90 in the rack.

[bmcecosse]

And have all the oil run into the boots - and the rack operate dry...... good plan! Even BMC wakened up to this eventually -grease for all later racks of exactly the same design....... I presume you run SAE 30 oil in the engine then too.....

[aupickup]

when i need new gaiters i will change to grease

[MarkyB]

The rack is hardly static, on lock the contents of the gaiter will be returned to the rack.

[chickenjohn]

And have all the oil run into the boots - and the rack operate dry...... good plan! Even BMC wakened up to this eventually -grease for all later racks of exactly the same design....... I presume you run SAE 30 oil in the engine then too.....

BMC that doesn't happen with my cars! Make sure the gaiters are sealed properly with either jubilee clips or tight cable ties and the oil DOES NOT all run out! and I have not ruined any steering rack in any of my cars.

I replaced a gaiter on my traveller for the MOT and EP90 was there, and the rack is fine. Plus, if you follow the service instructions it says to top up the oil with 20 strokes of a grease gun filled with oil.
I simply remove the nipple and squirt 20 strokes of EP90 in with an oil can, and have never had a problem with steering racks. I suspect the change to grease has happened because most folks don't have a separate grease gun filled with oil as well as one filled with grease, but if you un bolt the nipple, no need to use grease.

I agree with you on SAE 30, but please, that is a totally different argument and not relevant here, engine oil technology has moved on a lot in the last 5 years. However, EP90 has not been superceded by a superior gear oil. Don't forget, Triumphs used EP90 even in their trunnions! a Mechanic friend of mine says "EP90 sticks around".

Along with the 15 thou exhaust valve advice this is another BMCEcosse tip to take with a pinch of salt! ;-)

[les]

Better check my handbook---I'm sure it said 10 strokes no more! If it's 20 I need to empty out the grease gun again
edit: Yep, 10 strokes, in fact it says 'no more' .
Your thinking of your old 944 John!!

[aupickup]

i did 11 is that ok les

[les]

Ooooh, you might just get away with it.
Why aren't you at the national? Do you remember the good ol' days when we used to camp, get wrecked and talk crap.

[aupickup]

to much work and the mot uk the following week