Steering Rack Gaiter Change

[Schweppy]

Take it that's what this is?

Looks a bit cracked around the outer edge. Does it need replacing? Easy to do?

 

[Budgie]

Fiddly, but do-able.

Let's just say it's much easier than changing a rack should it ingest dirt and eat itself.

 

[Schweppy]

Ok thanks. May as well do both sides then.

Parts from Renault?

 

[Budgie]

Yeah. They shouldn't be too expensive.

Tbh, if they've never been changed and you're going that far, I'd probably do the tie rods and track rod ends at the same time.

Will need alignment after mind...

 

[Schweppy]

Did the track rod ends about a year ago. Front shocks were done about 2 years ago and I've got Solid top mounts and Cooksports waiting to go on so will defo need alignment.

Tie rods worth doing? Difficult? Expensive? Lol

 

[Rubicon_]

Good luck this took me ages to get it over the rack, there must be a easier way as I nearly gave up lol.

 

[mantis946]

Tie rods are not too bad to do, you do need a weird tool for it, got mine from halfords "hydraulic fan coupling spanner" or something to that effect

 

[Gus]

There is a trick to getting the gaiter on to the rack. I spent hours trying the screwdrivers method with no luck at all - only ended up with cut fingers.

Right.... The trick... You fold the big end lip of the gaiter back on itself about 15 mm. You can then slide the gaiter on to the rack and then unfold the lip on to the rack, you might have to pull a little bit on the concertina part of the gaiter but it will unfold fairly easily.
This method took me 5 minutes per side if that.