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MG MGB Technical - Steering Rack Boots - Any Good Ones Available?

Hello All -

I will be replacing my steering rack boots in about two or three weeks (I need to clean off the rack, replace the oil, and realign the front end), and I wondered if anyone has a source for boots that will last more than 6 months!

Has Moss seen the light and do they now supply a decent steering rack boot??????

Would you have ever thought that something so common and mundane would be so difficult to source?

Thanks in advance,

Jeff
Jeff Delk

Oh Jeff, I am about to do the same I have had a split in one of the boots for as long as I have had the car! Just now getting round to renewing all the suspension, so now is the time but what, your telling me boots or gaiters as I might call them are difficult to source? Mike
J.M. Doust

Hi Mike -

The boots/gaiters are available from Moss/Victoria British and many other suppliers.

The problem with most of them is that they fail very quickly due to the poor material used in producing them.
In some cases the boots begin to fail after just a few months on the car - even without the steering rack being used (as in the case of a car being restored).

I just wondered if anyone had found a boot that lasts a while.

Does anyone have any suggestions - or should I order from Moss or Scarboro Faire or some similar supplier?

Thanks in advance,

Jeff
Jeff Delk

It has been my recent experience that Abingdon Spares does a better job of specifying rubber parts than Moss.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

My Moss ones went on about 3 years ago and have been fine. I was concerned when they went on after reading about the problems people have had with them, but they have been OK.
Stan Best

Jeff,
The aftermarket "plastic" boots will last much longer than the rubber boots that match the original. I would go with the "plastic" boots if your not concerned with originality.
Joe G
J. E. Guthrie

Not sure why someone hasn't invented a "wrap-around and seal" replacement, rather than have to do so much dis assembly to replace them - especially if they go bad after such short intervals.

Pat
Patrick Callan

Patrick, the boot has to be able to collapse almost completely, when the steering wheel is turned full left or right. It also has to be able to stretch to its full length. This would preclude a wrap and seal system since it wouldn't be able to flex enough without failing. RAY
rjm RAY

Actually a boot made of some modern Polyvinyl surely could be created. Like urathane although not chemically the same they would be flexible, resist oil and water and outlast rubber. Mike
J.M. Doust

Wrap-and-seal can be obtained for CV joints, but word is they don't last very long. I've only had to replace one on each of my cars in 22 years and 17 years respectively. That was several years ago, still OK ... UK sourced, may be different now of course. If they failed in a few months I'd be going for a refund.
PaulH Solihull

Jeff,
I have rubber boots from Moss on 2 cars with no problems. (MGB and MGA).
Matt
M. H. Dabney

This thread was discussed between 04/08/2011 and 02/09/2011

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