Steering rack gaiter

[SS2.]

The old girl had her MOT on Saturday...Very close to a complete bill of health but one split steering rack gaiter meant failure and the soon-to-be shelling out of another £44 for a retest

I think the rack itself is a modded / upside down Chevette unit, but does anyone know if the gaiters are the standard units for the Chevette rack, a universal part available from any motor factors or something bespoke and hard to come by ?

TIA

[nawarne]

Try tvrcarparts.com.
They have them in stock.....at least I hope so! I've got some on order!

In the meantime - - you can try superglue on the existing gaiter - I did and it got me through the MOT - was a small tear though!

Nick

[SS2.]

Unfortunately Nick, the split is probably too severe even for SuperGlue but I'll have a closer look this evening. Its odd why its gone though, the gaiter itself looks fairly new..

You say you 'have some on order...'. That sounds ominous - I take it the gaiters are not off the shelf items at your local Halfords then ? I was hoping to get hold of a gaiter today, fit it tonight and get the retest done tomorrow. Maybe that was being a little optimistic...

[pringli]

replaced mine with a stock UNIVERSAL item from local factors - fitted fine - hardest part is getting the t/rod ends off -

[SS2.]

Cheers pringli, that's encouraging. Hopefully my local spares shop will have something similar in stock - will check on the way home.

Splitter, lump hammer and plasters at the ready

[pringli]

good luck - easier wirh rack off car obviously - remember to mark the rod behind the locknut to avoid tracking probs

[SS2.]

pringli said:

remember to mark the rod behind the locknut to avoid tracking probs

Top tip

[nawarne]

SS2
TVR car parts had the gaiters in stock - I've been waiting for door bushes!!
But if stock items fit - then I should go with those.
Not really relishing the thought of having to fit them though! It will be a case of memorising the cursing dictionary!
Nick

[SS2.]

That was sooo much easier than I had expected - less than 20 minutes from wheel off to wheel back on...

Even the rusty seal on the locknut didn't put up much of a struggle..

For reference and confirming pringli's post, universal gaiters fit like a glove and cost about 4 quid each.