7 replies to this topic

[Vince208]

My nearside steering rack gaiter is split. Unlike the offside, the nearside seems to be long - a concertina section from the outside, narrowing to a cylinder section. When searching for a replacement (eBay), the only gaiters available seem to be short concertina gaiters which are identical on both sides. Am I missing something? The inboard cylindrical section is definitely rubber; but could it be a separate part to the concertina section? Note that it is the concertina section that has failed. Thank you.

[DeadSquare]

In 60 years of playing with unmodified Minis, I have never come across gaiters that were not identical on either end of the steering rack.

 

May I suggest that you count the concertinas on each gaiter.  From memory, there should be 7 "hills" and 6 "valleys".

 

The offside gaiter can only be pushed onto the body of the rack as far as the pinion boss, but it is possible to push the gaiter too far onto the casting on the nearside of the rack, which would make it seem longer.

[Spider]

There was a series of racks fitted that had odd gaiters on each end.

This is a kit that will fit;-

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

[Vince208]

Thank you. I will undertake a more thorough check. The non-conertina section is definitely rubber (some steering rack pictures on line show that section as bright/shiny as if it is made from thin metal). I assume from your responses that this rubber (cylindrical section - undamaged) is a separate part and that I can change the concertina (hills & valleys) section, independently. Any comments?

[DeadSquare]

Thank you. I will undertake a more thorough check. The non-conertina section is definitely rubber (some steering rack pictures on line show that section as bright/shiny as if it is made from thin metal). I assume from your responses that this rubber (cylindrical section - undamaged) is a separate part and that I can change the concertina (hills & valleys) section, independently. Any comments?

Photos would be helpful.

[viz139]

These odd size gaiter racks were fitted to some minis in the 90's but I don't know on what basis. I found them on both cars with 12" and 13" wheels.

 I found the gaiters supplied from mini suppliers barely lasted a year. I found a quality supplier but basically had to buy a pair of each size so you get two kits.

I usually keep records of these part numbers but can't find it at present. Will keep looking. These racks also have different size bushes inside.

[Cooperman]

I have found that current new gaiters have very hard rubber and are very difficult to fit in-situ.

I had to do one recently and it wasso hard to get onto the main rack tube that in the end I gave up and found an old one in good condition on a Mk.1 rack on a shelf in my workshop. That went on fine.

It's probably easy with the rack off the car, but with it on the car it is a real PITA.

[Spider]

Thank you. I will undertake a more thorough check. The non-conertina section is definitely rubber (some steering rack pictures on line show that section as bright/shiny as if it is made from thin metal). I assume from your responses that this rubber (cylindrical section - undamaged) is a separate part and that I can change the concertina (hills & valleys) section, independently. Any comments?

 

It's been a very very long time since I had one of these on the bench, I can't recall what the body of the rack looked like, but the gaiter on the passengers end is all one piece.