405 steering rack gator

[steve j]

Hiya, just found this forum, hopefully someone can help. I`ve had my Pug 405 diesel for 8 years with no major problems. My steering rack gator is split, I`ve been informed that to replace it I will have to strip the rack . I managed a repair for the MOT, but now it really needs replacing, any ideas as I don`t really want to put it in a garage as it`s my daily runaround. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Stevej

[combemarshal]

You used to be able to get gators with a split down the middle for CV joints, can you not use one of those?

[steve j]

Hiya Lee, tried one of those, as the piston on the rack moves in and out whilst steering, the boot stretches then contracts breaking the glued joint. I wondered if a gator/boot can be heated so it can be stretched over the spigot on the end of the piston? I see you are a marshall at Castle Coombe, do you know of a guy who drives a green tvr Chimaera who I believe is a marshall or something to do with track safety?

[steve j]

Hiya Lee, tried one of those, as the piston on the rack moves in and out whilst steering, the boot stretches then contracts breaking the glued joint. I wondered if a gator/boot can be heated so it can be stretched over the spigot on the end of the piston? I see you are a marshall at Castle Coombe, do you know of a guy who drives a green tvr Chimaera who I believe is a marshall or something to do with track safety?

[megamaniac]

You can buy rubber instead of plastic gaiter kits ,lockheed do them i believe ,that will stretch over the spigot (as will the plastic ones if you put them in hot water for a while)

[combemarshal]

I do know the Guy your talking about, but dammed If I can remember his name at the moment, I'm useless at names!
You could try going to a scrap yard and removing one off something there, unless you can get just the gaitor from the dealer?

[steve j]

Thanks for your swift replies fellas,