4 replies to this topic

[mini mad adam]

hi, my mini passed the MOT and i got an 'advisable' thingy which says 'right hand steering rack gaiter deteriorated'. Is this hard to fix or a simple thing?

Adam

[Tarks]

simple ! as long as you mark where your steering ball end joint is set to on threads!!!!!!!

else tracking will need re-doing!

ive got a set of second hand gators if you want them ?
they are in next to new condition !
where are you ??

Tarks.

[Cookie Monster]

Very easy job.

Jack car up and remove wheel

Use a junior hacksaw and put a small cut in threads of trackrod on engine side on balljoint lock nut

Release lock nut

Undo ball joint nut (if you are lucky the ball joint will come out easilly, otherwise use a ball joint seperator. If using a scissor type of seperator be careful you don't fold the edges of the stud over)

When released twist off counting number or full turns, then remove lock nut.

Remove old gaiter, it may be held on by a cable tie or a metal ring

Fit new gaiter and secure using cable ties supplied. It can be a bit fiddley to get the inner cable tie on

Re fit lock nut and wind on trackrod end, counting the turns

Refit ball joint and hand tighten

Do up lock nut and if all went to plan you shoud just see you hacksaw mark

Tighten ball joint nut to correct torque

Refit wheel and lower jack

Job done - shouldn't take more than half hour.

[Tom Sanderson]

also its a good idea to put pleanty of grease about to make sure everything is free and not ceased up.

copper grease for the nuts and stuff and normal grease for the steering rack

[AlexM]

Congrats on getting through the MOT. My car failed on this one item, got the parts on the way home from the test station, fitted it that afternoon and returned the next day to pass