Replacing a split steering gaiter

[s2driveruk]

Car failed its MOT yesterday on a split steering gaiter - F**K :eek2:

Looking at the location of this little ******, changing it is going to be fun. Anyone BTDT on this and have any tips. Ordered the part yesterday over the parts counter £7.61 inc vat so a cheapy even for audi but looks like it is going to be a bitch to fit.

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP

David

[audiman]

Doh, David thats a pig of a job on a 3b!! Never had to do one, but ive looked at doing mine. Not nice.

You would have to undo the steering arms from the rack. Which is not easy as access is slightly limited

I cant undo mine as there are too tight and i cant get a big enough spanner on the lock nuts underneath.

[s2driveruk]

Tom,

I've got an angled rachet which means i can get the track rod carrier off the rack but the thing holding the gaiter on the end of the rack looks like a little Sh*t to remove....

Some days I hate this car with a passion......

Then i turn the ignition and in this cold air love is sweet

David

P.S. Is there anyway to move the abs motor without having to disconnect the spagetti mess of pipes running off it as that would improve clearance a treat??????

[audiman]

ABS can be gently moved away as pipes are copper and will 'flex'. But i dont advise it incase damage is caused that cant be seen.

Thats one of the job i am not looking forward to doing on mine. Luckily, they are ok. They should pass the MoT in the future

[s2driveruk]

I'll try and come up with a 'How to' on this if i can infact do it myself :eek2:

Lets hope its a dry weekend figure this will take most of the day

David

[s2driveruk]

UPDATE:

2 hours tonight working under lights on the drive and we have 90% of the offending gaiter of the rack.

This is a nightmare of a job due to the toal lack of access though i have a couple of nice tips to help other along. Will put together a little HOW TO guide soon.

Suffice to say if anyone has a head off, or has taken the engine out then for god sake change everything that lives at the back of the engine bay cos its sure as hell difficult to do this by feel alone i can tell you.

Heres the split gaiter (truely perished and the end ring which is actually plastic though feels like metal and looks like its an integral part of the rack and non-removable....

[Martynf]

Nice work David! Look forward to the how to! getting the old one off is the easy part huh? getting a new one on... another story!! good luck!

Martyn

[porkkis]

Was the gaiter dry or was there hydraulic oil inside it?
Mine had a bit of oil and I've heard that it's not ok at all but can't afford a new/factory repaired steering gear at the moment

[s2driveruk]

the shalf has oil on it and the inside of the old one does have some left in it - reckoned i would put some grease in it and hope for the best or is that the wrong thisng to do?

David

[S2central.net]

Dave - I really hope its just a split gaiter you have, and not a rack with a leaky end seal... Had this on the wife's A4 over a year ago... very common failure on them (in addition to kak front bushes).

If the oil seal is leaking on the rack then its a replacement job or specialist refurbishment.

The inside of the gaiter should be bone dry - its purpose is to keep dust & dirt away from the end seals.


Paul

[Martynf]

Should the worst ever happen... then I've got a brand new ABY rack sitting at home!!

Martyn

[Vagsport]

Martyn, that brand new rack IS in the back of my A***a! You gave it to me, remember? You can have it back, but it'll cost ya!

[audiman]

Charge him plenty. He cant claim it back after giving to you. Cheeky sod, who does he think he is

[s2driveruk]

Took me about 6 1/2 hours and many many many bruises, and a couple of cuts but the new gaiter is fitted and seems to be performing ok.

I will get round to doing a how to shortly but this is an evil job and you need the patience of a saint for it...!

The gaiter had a bit of grease/oil in it but to be honest nothing major....

Cheers,

David

[audiman]

Told you it was an evil job I wonder what the repair time is for doing the job? If Audi reckon its an hours work then I may be tempted to let them do it!! (maybe not, what am i thinking?)