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Steering rack rubber covers

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:01 pm
by TSF
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..... :cry:

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.

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:05 pm
by jj
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

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 5:20 pm
by Shug
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.

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 7:45 pm
by Stephen
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

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 8:15 pm
by hiscot
i was told they are fiat x19 ???
you can get some realy , realy , realy, long nose pliers that can do the job

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 10:10 pm
by Stewart
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.

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:13 am
by robin
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

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:34 pm
by TSF
Thanks Lads.....

Thats spot on..... I should of thought of trying eleiseparts :oops: only though I would have been able to source locally.

Great tip shug for fitting as well :wink:

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

Thanks again for the info

Eddie

Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:40 pm
by TSF
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 :roll:

Cheers
Eddie