Xantia steering rack seal

[CitroJim]

Ahh, sorry Xantos yes I did misunderstand.

Originally it was just what looked like a heavy duty plastic bag... Nothing very special at all It should be easy enough to fabricate one...

[xantos]

Yes indeed, but it looks ugly...

[CitroJim]

Yes indeed, but it looks ugly...

yes, but it does the job!!!

eBay may have some generic gaiter that will do the job. It was how I found a suitable inner CV boot kit for my Activa driveshaft. I measured what was needed and then went off searching...

I could see a decent stretchy steering rack gaiter, perhaps intended for a totally different car, doing the job well...

On a related subject, a good source of spare gaiters for front Activa rams would be good as those going and exposing then piston is what kills the rams...

[xantos]

Well I changed my steering cylinder with a used one from Activa. Note that the cylinder has a bigger diameter but none the less if fits perfectly!

I also fitted a suitable generic gaiter to the cylinder to prevent ingress of dust and water. But a problem occurred... When I fitted the clamps, the gaiter is air tight and acts like a balloon when steering! Temporary solution was to remove one clamp to allow the gaiter to breathe, but now water can find its way inside.

Any suggestions how to make the gaiter breathable? I could puncture it but still then water would get inside...

[CitroJim]

Good work Xantos

Any suggestions how to make the gaiter breathable? I could puncture it but still then water would get inside...

I believe the original is a little loose at the ram mount end and this would allow a bit of breathing without allowing any dirt/moisture in...

A few very tiny holes will do the job too...

[xantos]

Well i guess if I puncture a few holes on the bottom it will be ok...

Note that the bushes on the ram housing are the same as in activa rams. While changing the rams I changed also the bushes. Had in stock those nylon made!

[XUD9]

Gentlemen,
I have Xantia 1.9TD. Can I remove the cylinder only, without the rack? Is it possible?
It was leaking and I sent the complete rack for overhaul. And after just 50 kilometres- the same nightmare...
Thanks!

[Stickyfinger]

Gentlemen,
I have Xantia 1.9TD. Can I remove the cylinder only, without the rack? Is it possible?
It was leaking and I sent the complete rack for overhaul. And after just 50 kilometres- the same nightmare...
Thanks!

Yes you can........

[xantia_v6]

Can you see exactly where it is leaking from?

[XUD9]

I see LHM over the piston rod. I checked all return tubes around just in case, but I'm almost 99% sure that the ram leaks...

P.S. : Checked the return pipe from the funny gaiter - it's not stuck, no back pressure.