Recently, I replaced the steering rack in my 1979 MGB roadster. I purchased a new unit from British Victoria at a cost of $199.95.
After years of procrastination, it was will worth it! The steering now feels firm and solid, after all the original unit had 200,000 miles and 35 years on it.
After doing this, I thought of articles I had read about filling the boots or gaiters with lubricant (oil).
An example can be found in Technical Sections Volume III, page 286 where the author states he added oil to the tire rack but "not wanting to make the new boots fill and explode". (editor's note: The Tech Sections Volume I, II and III available from the AMGBA Store on the website at
www.mgclub.org/mgreg.htm )
If the seals are tight on the inner ends of the tie rods, oil should not be getting into the boots; the boots are to keep oil out, not to keep oil in!
Is there misinformation about the purpose of the boots (or gaiters)?
William Lane
Groveland, California
More tech info and questions and answers on our website at
www.mgclub.org.mgtech.htm or on our message board at
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