Steering rack rubber covers

TSF · Post by **TSF** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:01 pm

Hi Lads,

Can anyone tell me where I can buy some new steering rack rubber gaters / Covers, the ones I have on at the mo are torn.....

I have tried Dingbro / Autosave but they don't do a set..... it is for a 1998 car.

I stay in Livingston but heading up to Aberdeen area next weekend to fit them when I get my hands on a pair.... are the a devil to fit

Please help
Eddie.

jj · Post by jj » Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:05 pm

I bought a pair from Eliseparts when I had my S1 Elise - and yes they were a total pain to fit - trying to tighten the inner zip-ties was near impossible! Someone may have tips though.

http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.ph ... cts_id=310

Post by **Shug** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 5:20 pm

jj wrote:I bought a pair from Eliseparts when I had my S1 Elise - and yes they were a total pain to fit - trying to tighten the inner zip-ties was near impossible! Someone may have tips though.

http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.ph ... cts_id=310

Tip:

Fd taught me this one - take a short length of dowel (1cm diameter roughly) and cut a slot in the end. Fit the cable tie loosely on the gaiter and fit over the rack (the fiddly bit) When it's in place, take the dowel, and slide it in beside the rack, locating the tail of the cable tie in the slot you've cut. Rotate and it'll tighten up nicely. You can then snip off the excess.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 7:45 pm

Shug's advice is sound,
also I fitted universal ones which can just be cut to the correct diameter because i was struggling to find the originals

hiscot · Post by **hiscot** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 8:15 pm

i was told they are fiat x19 ???
you can get some realy , realy , realy, long nose pliers that can do the job

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 10:10 pm

I also found that by turning the steering wheel, the track rod shortens and helps to "pop" on the gaiter.

I second Shug's (FD's) method with the length of dowel. I also cable tied a craft knife on one end to help cut the old cable ties from the original gaiter.

You may need a ball joint splitter to get the track rod end of, but maybe lucky if you can grab it with a pair of vice grips. Remember to take a not of the length of the track rod into the TRE. i simply counted the number of threads.

It is perhaps one of the easier tasks on an elise, but like most of this is a bit fiddly.

robin · Post by **robin** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:13 am

If you are only changing the gaiter do you need to split the track rod end? With the steering on full lock one way, can you not just unthread the track rod from the arm?

Cheers,
Robin

TSF · Post by **TSF** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:34 pm

Thanks Lads.....

Thats spot on..... I should of thought of trying eleiseparts

only though I would have been able to source locally.

Great tip shug for fitting as well

Away to send for a pair and fit them this coming weekend so will keep you posted

Thanks again for the info

Eddie

TSF · Post by **TSF** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:40 pm

Hi Lads,

Managed to fit the new rubbers..... Thanks for the advice on fitting Etc realy helpful.

The first one was a bit of a challenge but the second ok.

I did mark the track rod end position, but would like to get the tracking checked all the same.

Where is the best place around Edinburgh to get this checked and is there a specific setting? OH Someone that knows what he's doing

Cheers
Eddie