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[terry paget]

Astra 1.6 petrol manual
Replacing both complete track rods. Removed the RH gaiter band with small angle grinder, but LH access poor. Any tips?

[Nick W]

small, sharp side cutters

[terry paget]

small, sharp side cutters

Thanks for tip. This is the original steel band. Resists sawing through. Not sure what side cutters are.

[Andy B]

..... Not sure what side cutters are.

the proper name for wire cutters ...... try Google 

[terry paget]

I have cut the gaiter off, and removed the track rod assembly. I have yet to removed the steel band seuring the gaiter inner end, but at least I can fit the new track rods.

[Doctor Gollum]

If the band is still on the rack, you might be better off removing that before fitting the new track rod 

[terry paget]

If the band is still on the rack, you might be better off removing that before fitting the new track rod 

Do you mean removing the band or removing the rack?

[terry paget]

Here is the band. 1mm X 10mm steel, presumably stainless. This one was on the right hand side, and my airline angle grinder easily cut it through. The left hand band was less accessible, and resisted all my attempts to sever it. Eventually I cut the bellows off and changed the inner and outer track rods. I still have to correctly locate the bellows, so must remove this band. I wonder how.

[Doctor Gollum]

If the band is still on the rack, you might be better off removing that before fitting the new track rod 

Do you mean removing the band or removing the rack?

The band new gaiter won't fit properly otherwise 

[terry paget]

If the band is still on the rack, you might be better off removing that before fitting the new track rod 

Do you mean removing the band or removing the rack?

The band new gaiter won't fit properly otherwise 

I appreciate it has to come off. I just don't know how to achieve it. I fitted the new track rods with the gaiters loosely on them so that I could move the car. I hope to remove the gaiter band tomorrow and locate the gaiters standing in my pit, not lying under the car.

[Nick W]

Side cutters.
Sharp ones.
That aren't wielded by a wimp


Try a screwdriver underneath the clamp first to get a bit of room for the jaws if it's a problem.
Everyday job

[terry paget]

Side cutters.
Sharp ones.
That aren't wielded by a wimp


Try a screwdriver underneath the clamp first to get a bit of room for the jaws if it's a problem.
Everyday job

Thanks. Will try tomorrow.

[Viral_Jim]

If your grip isn't up to it, a dremel (or non-branded equivalent) should get the job done 

[terry paget]

Good tip, Jimmy. I bought a dremel, did the job with ease.
Now I am struggling to get the gaiter over the end of the rack. It went over the rack end ball joint easily enough, but I struggle to get it over the rack housing end. I know I am a weak old man, but I called in my son, and he could not do it either. There must be a way of doing it.

[terry paget]

Can it be I have been supplied with the wrong gaiters? I bought a kit from Northern Ireland about 2 months ago, looked all right, everything else has fitted OK. The gaiters that came off are 170mm relaxed, large end 153mm diameter, small end 15mm diameter. Whle they are elastic, I somehow don't expect them to expand to fit the rack housing end. Bother. I fear I need new gaiters and have to take it all apart again. Maybe they will stretch.