Last week I stopped at a local discount auto parts store to pick up a
window crank for my VW bug and while I was wondering through the aisles I
came across what were labelled universal rack-and-pinion steering
boots. Since I had replaced mine recently I decided to see how they
compared to the ones I had gotten from TRF. They looked pretty much the
same except for the ends with the larger openings, which I would guess
were about one inch in diameter instead of the two inches or so for my
snake (same as the MGB). When I looked a bit closer, I noticed that the
openings were "stepped"; each inner step being a bit larger. According
to the instructions, the smaller openings up to correct size for your
rack could to be cut off. I would guess that the last step was about
2". The price for a set was between $8 and $9. I don't recall what I
paid for mine but with shipping I'm sure it was a lot more than that.
These gaiters come with the same mickey mouse black cable ties that the
ones from Moss and TRF come with, but for another $4.50 you can buy a
non re-usable 1/4" stainless steel strap set which includes a tool to
tighten them on the boots. There were 5 straps in a set.
Since I've heard from more than one source that the gaiters Moss sells
tend to disintegrate in short order, anyone needing new ones might want
check out these sets first. They were made of neoprene rubber and were
manufactured in the USA. This doesn't necessarily make them better then
Moss' but at least they're from a different supplier.
I did pick up a set of straps which I intend to install when I get the
time. I re-used the original clamps when I installed the new gaiters
but I think the rubber was a tad thinner than the old because even with
the clamps completely closed, oil still leaked out the ends. A few
weeks ago I put some rubber strips under the clamps, which did seem to
help, but this caused the gaiter rubber to bunch up between the ends of
the strips. Hopefully the new clamps, which will be in direct contact
with the gaiters, will compress rather than bunch the rubber.
BTW, the name of the auto parts store was the Auto Parts Club. I have
no idea if this is a national chain but I think the gaiters are sold at
other auto parts outlets.
Roland
|