Xantia steering rack gaiter

Martin Beevers · Post by **Martin Beevers** » 14 Jul 2010, 23:17

Hi all,
I will be doing my steering rack gaiter this week before my MOT at the end of the month.
Unfortunately it's the near side I have to do, so I know I'm in for a bit of a game. I made sure I got a pattern part made of stretchy rubber so I stand a chance of getting it over the spigot.
My question is- What grease should I be using to pack inside the gaiter and how much to put in?
Also any useful tips would be appreciated:)

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 14 Jul 2010, 23:25

hi Martin, I can't speak for the xantia, but when I did a 605 NS once, I put a nylock nut on the spigot, and then cut away a fair bit of the spigot that wasn't really needed.. finally I greased the nut, and the gaiter pulled over quite easily.. can't remember where I got that tip, but maybe worth passing on..

John

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 15 Jul 2010, 08:13

John
the spigot is not threaded externaly but internaly, and as its a steering component i would advise not citting anything down,

the rubber gaitor dose go over the spigot with loads of PERCY WHAT SIT,

just be aware both end are slightly diferent diamiter's, and if you think you have beat the gaitor into submition, but it is on the wrong way round, you will have a job makeing the wrong end stay put on the rack body neck,

regards malcolm

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 15 Jul 2010, 09:16

K malcolm thanks for that...

Martin Beevers · Post by **Martin Beevers** » 15 Jul 2010, 17:50

Any idea what grease I should use?

the_weaver · Post by **the_weaver** » 15 Jul 2010, 17:57

I've got the nearside steering rack gaiter to do on my ZX soon. Sounds like it's a difficult job on the Xantia. Is the ZX difficult too?

Paul

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 15 Jul 2010, 19:29

sorry to say Paul but i just looked at ZX steering on service citroen, and yep it dose have the external steering ram like the XANT has,

so its a very similar job,

just make sure you get a rubber after market gaitor, not the OE thermoplastic type as they dont streach at all,

the only way to fit that type is remove and strip the rack completly,

regards malcolm

the_weaver · Post by **the_weaver** » 15 Jul 2010, 19:44

Malcolm

Thanks for the info. My car hasn't got power steering. Does that mean I'm ok? Is the external ram part of the power steering?

Paul

Post by **KennyW** » 15 Jul 2010, 19:50

Hi Martin,

If you are stuck I have a spare rack with new gaiter fitted minus the steering pinion it was leaking (1.9TD but 98) I can't think of any differences. Other members may know otherwise. Rack's free if you are interested we could use the the member's relay system.

But I recall when changing mine, It was fairly easy to remove the track rod when old one is off and put new one on.

Kenny

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 16 Jul 2010, 08:31

yes Paul you are in luck, it is only the power steering version that has this problem,

regards malcolm

Martin Beevers · Post by **Martin Beevers** » 16 Jul 2010, 08:37

Thanks Kenny,

With MOT looming I reckon I will manage to get this gaiter done in time. I will keep your offer in mind if I find any more issues along the way.

Will normal grease be OK to pack the gaiter with?

the_weaver · Post by **the_weaver** » 16 Jul 2010, 21:22

Thanks Malcolm, that's a relief.

Paul

Martin Beevers · Post by **Martin Beevers** » 20 Jul 2010, 15:14

Job done,
Was a bit tricky to get the new gaiter over the spigot... I left the nut on the end to stop the threads doing any damage, greased the whole thing, stretched it to a point I thought it would split at any second. I used a ring spanner to tease it over the spigot bit by bit.