HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted July 25, 2019 Share Posted July 25, 2019 Morning allSomeone said that BC had slowed down in providing helpful hints/tips .... I think it's still great in that respect so here goes !Gaiter on the drivers side has split when I was washing the car. Covered it with wrap and car under cover until it's sorted - couple of questions:- how easy are they to replace (never done one) and is there a guide that anyone's aware of that some helpful soul has put together ? I'm pretty handy with the car just never changed a boot !- best place to source the boots from, Caterham never seem to have anything in stock?- any tips from people who have replaced before/things I need to watch for?- Do I need to have the suspension/steering checked once it's all put back together ?Any help much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted July 25, 2019 Share Posted July 25, 2019 If it's the same as my S3 K it's easy, and everything you need is in the archives, including:Stu's trick: why you don't need to split the track rod end from the upright.The flats for the wrench are sometimes hidden by the gaiters.LHS and RHS are different, and the equivalent part numbers. But, as always, if in doubt ask Redline.Do I need to have the suspension/steering checked once it's all put back together ?You can reliably end up with the same setting that you had before.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted July 25, 2019 Author Share Posted July 25, 2019 Ah bless you mate that's excellent thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted July 25, 2019 Share Posted July 25, 2019 I have this info in my notes Steering Rack Gaiters (from Blatchat) Part Number Cross Reference: - First Line FSG3033 (Pair) - Ford 1454203 (Left Hand - Long) 1454202 (Right Hand - Short) - Quinton Hazell QG1001 QG1014 (Quinton Hazel QG1001 steering rack gaiters confirmed as identical to the standard caterham parts) Original Application: - Ford Escort Mk I 1968-1976 - Ford Escort Mk II 1973-1981 - Ford Capri Mk I 1968-1974 - Ford Capri Mk II 1974-1977 - Ford Capri Mk III 1978-1987 - Talbot Avenger 1970-1981 - Talbot Sunbeam 1977-1983. Measurements: - Left Hand: 155 long, 32mm dia. at rack end, 10mm dia. at rod end. - Right Hand: 125mm long, 42mm dia. at rack end, 10mm dia. at rod end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted July 27, 2019 Author Share Posted July 27, 2019 Thanks both - parts sourced from Chris at Redline, info from BC, next weekend's job sorted ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted August 15, 2019 Author Share Posted August 15, 2019 Hi JonathanOne of the posts mentioned you had a photo of the removal/trick...don't 'spose you have it to hand do you ? Family stuff put paid to me planned time in the garage so hoping to tackle it this w/e !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 Easy to do. Mark stripe of Tippex on lockout, TRE and tie rod. Crack lockout a fraction off track rod end while holding both with spanners. Then find the sneaky flats on track rod and wind it out of TRE until it comes free. Spin nut off thread. Replace gaiter. Refit nut and spin back to white mark. Screw rod back in to TRE until it reaches nut. When marks aligned, nip lockout against TRE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 There was a photo, but I can't find it: defeated by a combination of multiple threads and broken links, and, quite possibly, misspellings. I'll have another look.Meanwhile have you found this thread?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 That crossed with Ian's... any expert views comparing marking with counting turns?ThanksJonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony1956 Posted August 15, 2019 Share Posted August 15, 2019 SM25T changed mine a few weeks ago using his technique in #7 and I had forgotten about it as there is no change at all in my steering direction. Nada. Of course he made it look easy ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted August 16, 2019 Author Share Posted August 16, 2019 Thanks Jonathan and all - yep that's cool ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Sorry ... being a bit fick.....halfway through the job for Stuart’s trick which end do I unscrew A or B ( do I put spanner’s on both and hold the end not being slackened also, how do you get the thin end of the boot on ?cheers folks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 IIRC You unscrew the track rod (using the flats) from the track rod end.how do you get the thin end of the boot on ?... a piece of tape where it first makes contact to ease the slide, warming the boot, lubricant (although I'd use silicone rather than grease or WD-40), determination...Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted August 17, 2019 Author Share Posted August 17, 2019 Thanks JonathanSorted but just cannot get the wider end of the boot over the lip of the rack... tried heating, lube, grease, everything...beyond frustrating Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim 123 Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Check the old and new gaiters have comparable internal diameters? If you were to use some emery to chamfer the internal lip of the gaiter, would that make it easier to get a start? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Get half of it on, then insert a flat blade and turn the big end of the gaiter, to feed it on like a tyre fitter does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 Morning gents thanks for posting Finally got one of them on before I lost the light - off to do the other side shortly. Pig of a job though eh? In the end I heated the boot in hot water covered the TRE in wd40, a swirl of grease and then used a teaspoon as a tyre lever then it eventually went on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Well done.Pig of a job though eh?It seems to vary. Which gaiters did you use?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Why covered the TRE in lubricant ? The tie rod should be disconnected from the TRE so you just slip the gaiter over the rod and up to the rack. Hopefully you meant the end of the rack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 Yep sorry - I meant the lip over the end of the rack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 Bought from Redline Jonathan - great product and service from their ( as ever). The boots good quality but it’s a tight fit !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Phew ... I had visions of you trying to get small end of boot over the TRE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 Lol ! Bizarrely the drivers side slid on relatively easily ( 5 mins) - and yes I know they’re handed boots and they are each on the correct side - but the passenger side boot was an absolute pig. Anyway, job done thank you chaps for help and advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbot Posted March 18, 2021 Share Posted March 18, 2021 I am not sure Steering Rack Gaiter replacement is considered a consumable but there does seem to have been a lot of interest in the subject. I am starting the process of changing mine and, to be honest, searching through the past threads on the subject has been a little confusing. There is some very good information out there but it is spread across multiple threads all cross linked to each other in different ways.Is it possible for someone with the right skill set to add this as a Topic in the Technical Guides section.With the current uncertainty of shipments to EU, GJT stay calm, I decided to see if I could get a pair of gaiters here in France. Using the Quinten Hazell QG1001 as a reference the local motor factor got me set from BORG & BECK - Steering Gaiter Set - BSG 3033. So that can be added to list of equivalents part numbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HendrixsWhiteStratReturns Posted March 19, 2021 Author Share Posted March 19, 2021 The advice given on here is spot on and, I would have thought, sufficient ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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