Changing steering rack gaiter

[Minipug]

Hi all,

I need to change my steering rack gaiter for my pug 406 MOT. Ive gone to do it today after being told to undo the lock nut and undo the tracking (having marked it to get the correct tracking afterwards). Then slip the new gaiter over the rod and hey presto.... But i cant seem to undo the track rod end. Undone the lock nut (after a while) but cant unscrew the track rod end at all... sprayed with plenty of wd40 but wont budge.... Anybody overcome this problem before or am i doing something wrong...

Thanks for any advice

Minipug

[steve_earwig]

Give the WD a day or two to work itself in, maybe soak the bugger and wrap it in plastic. Failing that it's out with the blowlamp I'm afraid.

[jameslxdt]

you may end up having to cut it off as they do usually get completley seized solid

[Minipug]

Thx for the replies guys...

If i ended up cutting it off then how would i fit a new one?

Ill try the wd40 for a while and give it another go on monday i think...

Took me ages today to do a few little jobs.... would of took less than an hour if things werent seized solid

Minipug

[teamster1975]

Try heating it with a blowlamp first, that may be enough to free it off. Careful with the flame around the WD you've sprayed though!

[jameslxdt]

when i say cut it off, i mean split it open

[steve_earwig]

Messy though. Try the WD, you could re-attatch it to the hub for stability while you go at it with the moles (or stilsons, if you should have any) but this will probably damage the track rod end. Heating it up with a blow torch will definitely damage it, shine the blow torch at the bit where the track rod is inside the end and the expansion should (in theory) give it enough room to move, keep the flame moving around the track rod end and avoid heating the track rod as much as possible. And do please wear some gloves!

[Minipug]

Thanks guys.... Ill have another go monday then.

Minipug