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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Fitting Steering Rack Gaiter

I am replacing the steering rack gaiters and track rod ends on my 1974 1275 midget. I am struggling with the driver side gaiter and can't get the larger end over the flange around which it sits to tie it off with the wire that I was supplied with by Moss. Does anyone have any tips on how to do this easily. Is there a special tool to use or trick?
Andy Davies

A number of little tries

I assume you mean you are struggling with the large end of the gaitor to fit on the end of the rack?

Try to turn the end of the gaitor inside out (roll back) move it up against the rack end and then try rolling it on, sometimes helps.
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

oh good news I'm suppose to be doing that on mine but have yet to build the 'enthusiasm'

I'll be trying a little nylon and rubber lubricant spray, plenty of tea stops and a hairdryer
Nigel Atkins

Just done mine for the MOT. It is a real struggle, Mine were from MGOC spares. Try warming the end in some warm water to make it more flexible, but make sure they are in a plastic bag to keep it dry.
P Ottewell

The other trick is to cut the neck / top half off a plastic drink bottle - push the neck end in to spread the end of the gaiter and then fit it over the end of the rack. When the gaiter is in position hold it in place and pull the bottle clear.

It also works if you cut up one side of the bottle, fit it over the end of the rack and then slide the gaiter on so that the end stretches into place.

Trick I was shown many years ago for fitting mini drive shaft boots, but it works just as well for Spridget steering rack gaiters!
Guy

Guy you beat me to it there's a vid somewhere showing something similar

Andy, Pete I hope your gaiters and boots last longer than the 6 months mine did - more rubbish rubber
Nigel Atkins

IIRC... I used a dab of vasoline and made sure the rack was super clean

I didnt use the nylon zip ties... I used hose clamps
Prop
and and the Blackhole Midget

This is what I used to get over the problem. I used the neck of a Coke bottle, split it down the middle, then "folded/rolled" it over the end of the Rack.
Vasoline on the bottle, slipped over OK, then I could "fold/roll" the bottle smaller until it pulled out easily.
I call it the WazzaWomper.

Warren


w butler

That's it Warren. Photo tells it better than words!
Guy

Urgh, it took me a whole evening to get mine on! Only eventually suceeded when my girlfriend came home. I pulled the thing on as far as I could on one side whilst she levered and prised the other side over with a thing screw driver.

This was after popping them in a low heat oven for a minute or two to soften them up.

It really shouldn't be a two man job!

Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

>>Urgh, it took me a whole evening to get mine on! Only eventually suceeded when my girlfriend came home. I pulled the thing on as far as I could on one side whilst she levered and prised the other side over<<

ooh Matron!
David Smith

ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Malcolm Le Chevalier

parh, easier with rack off car even more fun when the rack remains in situ

where's the warm sunny weather go when you need it too
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 14/03/2012 and 15/03/2012

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.