8 replies to this topic

[fenghuang]

Any wizard tips on reinstalling steering rack boots with the rack in situ?
It's a complete bugger gettin the inner end over the body of the rack so I figure someone has worked out an easy way to do it.

[tiger99]

I suggest loosening the rack U bolts considerably and undoing the column pinch bolt to get wiggle room on the rack. You can't get it out without partly dropping the subframe, but some quick and simple spanner work will get a big enough gap between arch and toeboard to help with the problem you are having.

Just remember to do the U bolts up losely, then the pinch bolt tight, followed by the U bolts tight when you are finished so the column and rack are in line and nothing breaks some time later.

But you probably know all about that procedure, just mentioning it in case an inexperienced person reads this, dives in, doesn't read his Haynes or Rover manual, so doesn't align rack and column properly afterwards, and goes out and kills someone, possibly himself and passengers, some time later. It happens, so I always feel that it is good practice to add a cautionary note where danger might otherwise exist, even if it gets a bit tedious.

[fenghuang]

to be honest I was hoping for a cleverer trick than undoing the subframe and steering. :-(

[nicklouse]

mine just  went with no bother. on my back under the car.

[cian]

Boots in hot water will get them flexing more and make it a lot easier

[RedRuby]

When I replace mine I just either spray the inside of the lip with a silicone spray or rubber grease and they seem to go on OK well one does and the other one is slightly more fiddly but that's Mini's for you.

[slidehammer]

I have found the best thing is get the front up either on ramps or axel stands lie under the car and then with a little patience get the top (most awkward part) on first and the gradually work the boot around and over the rack. I did give up trying get the original style metal clips back on and cheated and used cable ties. It is worth having some form of eye protection on as you will disturb rubbish whilst working them on.

[AeroNotix]

I used two slivers of plastic inside the boot and laid them over the steering rack and greased them up. Then pushed up against that, when it was over where I wanted it to be I pulled out the plastic strips.

 

For the plastic strips I used off cuts of zip ties. 

[Spider]

Any wizard tips on reinstalling steering rack boots with the rack in situ?
It's a complete bugger gettin the inner end over the body of the rack so I figure someone has worked out an easy way to do it.

 

Clearly mate, your not holding your tongue the right way.......