Replacing steering rack gaiters

[Richard the old one]

I found it very difficult to get a new rubber gaiter over the nearside ball joint. In the end I did manage to do it with the use of a number of bicycle tyre levers. Is there a trick that I should know to do this task?

[matt of the vivas]

Warm the gaitor up first, hair dryer works well. Makes it softer and easier to stretch. Also roll the outer edge of the gaitor over itself, then you can roll it back over the ball joint and stretch the rest of the thing over easier.
Matt.

[xvivalve]

Original equipment gaitors slip on relatively easily (and they are still available). Aftermarket 'universal kits' do not.