Howdy folks,

 

Here's the thing, the local garage quoted something ridiculous for changing a single split steering rack gaitor, so I thought, how hard can it be, I'll do it myself. I'll cut to the chase; managed to get the old tie rods off, which were shot anyway, so replaced with new, but couldn't get that damn retaining nut to move on one side, which of course, just happened to be the side that failed the MOT. Ended up prising the rubber gaiter over it, which wasn't all that fun either. Anyway, just curious, since most peeps on here have far more experience doing this than I do, how would you free this stead fast nut? Anyway, what made it worse, is that I couldn't get the replacement tie rod to screw on close enough to the retaining nut, about 1cm out, and then, when it was really stuck in place, the ruddy nut decides to play ball and free up. Anyway, this left the steering way way off. Took it for re-tracking and they fixed it for a tiny sum, just curious what others would have done that would have made life easier?

 

Alex

Universal split steering gaitor, no need to take anything off, just use the glue to join the gaitor until fused, two clips or cable ties and job done.

And that just goes to show that I should have asked before I did anything! Thanks fella. Btw, one of the tie rods was completely shot, so it would still be good to know how to get that thing to move freely so I can mark it in place before replacement. :)

Here is a write up, its from the US site, if you cant view it, register, its free and you will be able to get a ton of info.

 

http://www.300zxclub.com/showthread.php?t=76152&highlight=tie+rods

Where you have nuts they will not move its best to apply heat this will always loosen the buggers ..

Thanks for the tips, really helpful. Will give these a whirl.

Personally I would not go down the route of the universal split gaitors I would rather do the job properly. I remember them from years ago and back then they were crap, who knows they may have improved vastly since then but I would not bother with them. To my mind they are just a quick fix and not really long term.

 

Both the lock nuts and track rod ends are regularly tight to come off. As has been said a bit of heat can help, also a couple of hammers can free them off. Something like a club hammer held at one side of the nut and smack the opposite side with another hammer. Give the exposed threads a good wire brush first and once you start things moving squirt a bit release fluid.

I know what you mean Ossian, but they have improved over the years, but you just have to be careful to glue as per instructions and not in one go. Mine has them fitted from 3 years ago and still on there strong..

I know what you mean Ossian, but they have improved over the years, but you just have to be careful to glue as per instructions and not in one go. Mine has them fitted from 3 years ago and still on there strong..

 

Yep as I said they probably have improved, it's probably 25years ago when I first seen them. Call me old fashioned though I think I will still avoid them.....unless Im really stuck and need a quick fix at some point :)