noticed the n/s rack boot has split on the mk2 bready , is it just a case of remove tie rod inner fixings and the bracket thing from the end of the rack piston

does the bracket just come off once the bolts are out?

too hot to be struggling with cars lol

cheers

pretty much man, bit fiddly but a straightforward job

Isn't there only one rack gaiter anyway?

I reckon you MAY be able to lock it one way, take the bolt out that holds the clamp thing to rack, then keep wheels

Where they are and lock the steering wheel the other way (ie fully extended to fully in) and it may pop out with a wiggle, wrangle the old gaiter out, tease the new one in and pop the rack back in, do clamp up, bish bash bosh.

Easy theory in my head, probably won't work in reality cause of the twist/tension on the inner steering arm bushes lol

i already had to remove the n/s arm to fit a new end ...so whiped the other bolt out and the 17mm pinch bolt and the bracket then comes off

just need to find a decent quality boot now

I got one from Euro tbh, wasn't much and seems fine so far, cheap enough anyway even if it splits every couple of years

while its apart ..is there anything to clean /grease internaly

dont mind whipping it off the car if theres a way to get at the internals etc

You don't grease the inside of the boot, it's more like a set of bellows on a shock absorber so putting grease in there will just make the boot snag on the rack piston. I'm not sure the racks themselves are serviceable?

Recently did one on my audi cabriolet and I needed a puller to get the end washer off (the bit that holds the boot at the tie rod end)

Should be okay really, maybe just ensure theres no grit/dirt gotten in where the boots been off/damaged?

you say dont grease it ...some of the boot kits come with a sachet of grease though?

spose i best leave it alone lol

Like nick said the gaiters can be had from most places and are around a fiver for the pair of boots and they just slide on once the steering arm and bracket are off.

iirc theres a kind of grease hole underneath the rack but virtually impossible to get to without it off. I dont think a smear of grease on the internals will do any harm either :-)

Ah you're right there, there's the bellow type one and one that's just like a dust ingress cover the other end isn't there

fitted a gsf lemforder one ...seems to pop off on full lock ? dunno if its wrong or what