8 replies to this topic

[croc7]

I will be replacing the steering rack on my MKIII mini and when I unpacked it, I noticed that the clamps securing the gaiters to the steering rack aren’t metal but are white zip ties. My question is how durable are these and would it be better to replace them with stainless steel band clamps?
Thanks

[Spider]

As best I am aware, the new steering racks are lubricated with grease. That being the case, the gaiters don't need to make a liquid tight seal on to the rack body, so cable ties are good enough.

[mab01uk]

Keep an eye on plastic cable/zip ties as some (probably the cheaper unbranded ones?) seem to degrade over time and split apart. I think it usually down to the plastic not being fully UV resistant, so worse where they are exposed to more light.

[bpirie1000]

Should be fine, when I ordered c.v.boots of late these always come with tie wraps.
These are not ideal as they hit the inner hub and whennrotatung cause issues but as not on a drive motion or much movement tie wrap(ZIP TIES) SHOULD BE FINE FOR THIS.,

[andyapanel]

The ones round the steering rack I fitted recently were very substantial; I don't think they will let you down.

[stuart bowes]

^ same here although the rack isn't actually fitted to the car yet

 

there's zip ties and zip ties though, some are piddly weak little things some are big strong things, you can always order some better ones if you're dubious about them, they're cheap

[Blumeanie]

I recently replaced my gaiters. (posted on another thread).

My 25 years-old originals were secured with zip ties on the rack end and metal clamps on the steering rod end.. The zip ties were still in very good shape. 

Every replacement gaiter I considered - (I bought quite  a few to determine the correct fit) came with zip ties only.

 

Zip ties should work well. there are some that are VERY poor quality...

 

I did double-up on the zip ties - just to make sure the gaiters would stay in place if one zip tie broke, and also to put less pressure at the point of attachment.

[goudoogje]

White zip ties most of the time fall apart, black ones are a better.

[Spider]

Not sure if anyone is interested in some 'Mini History' on this ?

The steering racks were originally filled with Oil (and designed to run that way). The Gaiters were at that time, fitted with clamps to make them Oil tight, however, they received quite a few warranty claims from the Racks leaking, not only from gaiters, but other places.

 

Unipart came up with the idea of greasing them at the time of assembly and doing away with the oil altogether. Later, they used cables ties as a cost cutting measure. They found with the Grease, they'd last long enough to be out of the warranty period before the Rack was worn out form lack of lubrication, so it worked for them.