The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I am replacing my steering rack gaitors but having a devil of a job with the offside one.

I did manage to get it on using a plastic bottle neck to feed it on but then I couldn't get that off.

Does anybody know the best way to go about this? The next step is to take the rack out but I'm not sure how much that will help.

The n/s is the tight side is this what you meant?. When I did mine in situ, I also used a plastic bottle but I cut it so it was basically a sheet.
Then, wrapping it around the rack and track rod forming a cone shape, pulled the boot over it and pulled the plastic out afterwards. Pulling the plastic at the same time as the boot keeps the plastic poking out. Good luck

Tony

Thanks for the reply Tony but it is the offside I am having trouble with.

I sorted the nearside in a similar way to yourself but the offside opening of the boot is smaller than the fitting and there is no room behind it.

The new boots are very different to the old ones so it may be that I need to get another set. Do you remember where you got yours from?

AlanH wrote: ↑Sat Mar 31, 2018 7:58 pm Thanks for the reply Tony but it is the offside I am having trouble with.

I sorted the nearside in a similar way to yourself but the offside opening of the boot is smaller than the fitting and there is no room behind it.

The new boots are very different to the old ones so it may be that I need to get another set. Do you remember where you got yours from?

A lot of suppliers (including Fitchetts, who normally don't get things wrong) supply Herald/Spitfire gaiters for use on Dolomites. These are NOT suitable as they are too big in diameter and chafe on the subframe leading to early failure. I've just replaced both gaiters on the Carledo but managed to pick up a boxed pair of QH gaiters at Stoneliegh, the O/S one was still a PITA to fit! I use a bit of an old pair of right angle ended circlip pliers, pushing the gaiter over the rear side and then teasing it over the more accessible front side with the tool.

I would imagine that whoever recons the racks for Alun will have access to a source of these, I don't know offhand of another.

Steve

I was told at our local triumph owners group that the trick is to warm the gaitor up in hot water before attempting to fit it. The modern material they are made from is not rubber and once you get it warm it will stretch and you can fit it. I have used this method and it worked.

A lot of suppliers (including Fitchetts, who normally don't get things wrong) supply Herald/Spitfire gaiters for use on Dolomites. These are NOT suitable as they are too big in diameter and chafe on the subframe leading to early failure.

Another example of supplier created frustration.

I picked up 10 pair of OE rack gaiters from the rack man a short while ago, they are available at £11/pair

That's the good news, the bad is he has lost his supplier.

xvivalve wrote: ↑Tue Apr 24, 2018 2:45 pm I picked up 10 pair of OE rack gaiters from the rack man a short while ago, they are available at £11/pair

That's the good news, the bad is he has lost his supplier.

I have sent a PM regarding above

Sorry, I should have clarified, these would be plus postage: second class signed for would be £4.00.

Also, they are mine, rather than Club stock. I'd hoped to get both a larger quantity and far better rate in order to put them into Club stock, but he obviously had to consider Nº1!