Right, the other day I noticed my steering rack boot on my drivers side has a massive split in it and very crumpled, after searching for a creaking noise when steering...

after going down to my local garage for something un-related, I asked my mechanic whether he noticed anything during the MOT and he said it was looking normal then.

Then I remembered Pro-Tyre had done my tracking, toe and camber when I had lowered my car back in february..this is the only time my steering boot could have possibly become twisted....after talking to a few of my friends who had their tracking done there, they noticed their boot's were also twisted, however have managed to un-twist them before they have split like mine.. :/

My question is, would I be able to go to Pro-Tyre now and complain about it and try and get them to sort the problem 4 months after I had the tracking toe and camber done? I still have the receipts and details sheet from when it was done...I know it's been a while but have only just noticed it :/

Also, would the creaking be lack of lubricant or something else?

Cheers

Edited 27 June, 201115 yr by daveb142

There can be no harm in trying, old lad. As you say, it wouldn't have passed the MoT in that condition. It might be an idea to take the MoT certificate with you if the test was close to the date when you had you tracking done.

I wouldn't have thought that lack of lubricant would cause the creaking noise, of course it does need lubricant, but the lack of it would more likely manifest itself in stiff or rough steering, it really depends on how long the gaiter has been split for.

To locate the source of the creaking, you need an assistant to turn the steering wheel (with the car stationary and the weight on the tyres). Likely areas to check are the steering rack mountings and the top and bottom joints. You may find it easier to locate the noise by feeling each of the above items, rather than just listening to it.

Have a good look at the inside of the steering unit (inside the torn gaiter), any signs of rust or of contamination by road dirt etc. will warrant a complete overhaul of the unit. If it is clean (but 'oily', you will probably get away with a new gaiter.)

Regards.

Protyre replaced the steering boot and re-tracked the car for free :) the steering feels much lighter now which is good

Though realised that the creaking was coming from my left coilover haha, already knew it was loose at the top, need the top off and make sure it's all good before tightening it again!

Cheers for the advice though bud! :)

Protyre replaced the steering boot and re-tracked the car for free :) the steering feels much lighter now which is good

Though realised that the creaking was coming from my left coilover haha, already knew it was loose at the top, need the top off and make sure it's all good before tightening it again!

Cheers for the advice though bud! :)

might be worth changing the top mount and bearing in the service of the collie

the bearing is there so the suspension can turn but not the top mount,if the bearing is seized in one form or another the top mount will turn as you steer causing the creeking or juddering

wearing the top mount out in the process

Protyre replaced the steering boot and re-tracked the car for free :) the steering feels much lighter now which is good

Though realised that the creaking was coming from my left coilover haha, already knew it was loose at the top, need the top off and make sure it's all good before tightening it again!

Cheers for the advice though bud! :)

might be worth changing the top mount and bearing in the service of the collie

the bearing is there so the suspension can turn but not the top mount,if the bearing is seized in one form or another the top mount will turn as you steer causing the creeking or juddering

wearing the top mount out in the process

Just seen this bud!

Yeah I think i'm going to order a new top mount and bearing soon! I tightened the bolt beneath the top metal cap which has reduced the amount of creaking, however you can still see the top mounts turning when I steer!

Thanks mate! :)

the bit you see under the bonnet will turn. do you mean you can see it when your under the arch and the actual rubber is turning? if so you still cant condemn the top mounts like that as they are designed to be off the body when jacked up (i know its a strange design but hey ho) so the only way of checking your topmount bearings are buggered is to take them off and spin the bearing by hand... sorry to say..

I mean I can see the top metal cap under the bonnet turns (always call these top mounts by accident too), the rubber top mount doesn't turn (had someone turning wheels without the car jacked up), it's just the top metal cap under the bonnet that I can see turning...which from what has been mentioned could possibly be due to the bearing?

You can see in the pictures below that the top metal cap has been turning and scratching the metal around the top of the strut

And you can sort of see where the top metal cap has been grinded