Steering bellows and trackrod end gaiters
Posted: 03 Feb 2013, 18:57
A recent CT (French equivalent of MOT test) showed split bellows on the steering rack.
When I checked these myself I noticed that the trackrod end gaiters were also beginning to split.
2 years ago, using the information I found here, I managed to finally get my front wheel alignment correct, so that the uneven tyre wear I have had since getting the van was finally cured. I had had the alignment adjusted by umpteen professionals, in both France and Spain, giving them the same figures I eventually used, but every set of tyres I fitted got chewed up in short order. I think they either ignored the measurements I provided, their equipment is never recalibrated, or they are just incompetent.
I did the alignment myself, manually, using an old tool I found in Spain.
This works like the Model "A" tool here: http://www.abarnyard.com/workshop/align.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; but has horn shaped extensions at each end to reach up to the level of the hub centre. It took me quite some time to get it right, and I wanted to avoid having to do it again.
The trackrod ends had no play at all; when I removed the boots they were still well greased and clean. I found that the new bellows stretched enough to get them on without removing the trackrod ends, avoiding losing the wheel alignment.
I found new gaiters for the trackrod ends here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1048438685" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They were slightly smaller, but fitted OK. I used the wire clips from the old gaiters rather than the "O" rings supplied.
I hope this information is useful to someone here
When I checked these myself I noticed that the trackrod end gaiters were also beginning to split.
2 years ago, using the information I found here, I managed to finally get my front wheel alignment correct, so that the uneven tyre wear I have had since getting the van was finally cured. I had had the alignment adjusted by umpteen professionals, in both France and Spain, giving them the same figures I eventually used, but every set of tyres I fitted got chewed up in short order. I think they either ignored the measurements I provided, their equipment is never recalibrated, or they are just incompetent.
I did the alignment myself, manually, using an old tool I found in Spain.
This works like the Model "A" tool here: http://www.abarnyard.com/workshop/align.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; but has horn shaped extensions at each end to reach up to the level of the hub centre. It took me quite some time to get it right, and I wanted to avoid having to do it again.
The trackrod ends had no play at all; when I removed the boots they were still well greased and clean. I found that the new bellows stretched enough to get them on without removing the trackrod ends, avoiding losing the wheel alignment.
I found new gaiters for the trackrod ends here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1048438685" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They were slightly smaller, but fitted OK. I used the wire clips from the old gaiters rather than the "O" rings supplied.
I hope this information is useful to someone here