Fitting Replacement Top Wishbone Gaiter

[Jim 123]

After trying a number of alternative designs of gaiter, I'm going to replace my knackered top wishbone gaiters with the Caterham standard items that have the metal collar around the large opening.  I'd welcome suggestions as to what method to use to get the metal gaiter collar to slot into the seat in the ball joint carrier.

My current thinking is to pre position the gaiter over the ball joint on a bench and using a short length of 40mm diameter thick wall plastic pipe and a hammer to tap the metal ring into it's seat in the carrier.  

Any advice from experienced hands would be appreciated as I only have enough parts for 1 successful attempt in the morning.

[colindavies56]

put a 41mm socket over the new boot with the metal ring sticking out,then put in a vice and squeeze it over the ball joint,easy fix.put some grease in the boot first.

[Paul Richards]

Similar to Colin. I use a small piece of round tube (scaffold fitting?) which just fits onto the metal ring and then use a vice to squeeze it on. The vice gives much more control. If you try tapping on with a hammer it's not very successful and you're likely to damage the rubber. 

[Jim 123]

Thanks both much appreciated.