Wedge TR7 Steering rack boot replacement

[Got_All_4]

My rack boot is torn so I ordered a new one from Team Triumph which is a Moss part. Tried to install it on the rack and the boot is too small on the big hole end. The hole is 2" and the rack outside diameter is 2&1/4". Tried for and hour to stretch it over the rack and there is no way that was going to happen.
The owner ordered a new on thinking that possible the wrong part in the box. However the same part showed up. What could be possibly going on here?

 

[tr8todd]

I know from past experience that they fit tight. I have several sets of new boots in the garage. I'll measure one up for you in the morning and see what size the new boots are.

 

[Got_All_4]

Thanks that will work. I'm stoping back at Team Triumph at noon.

 

[tdskip]

Don't be afraid to really stretch them our before trying again, it can be a pain.

 

[tr8todd]

Yep. 2" is the measurement. It helps if you prestretch the end a little. Don't be afraid to use pliers and a screwdriver to get them on. The ones I have all have application guides on the back of the box. It says they are for a bunch of different Rover models and some Austin models. No mention of TR7 and 8, but I have had no problems with them in the past. Used a set on a TR8 and a Stag so far this year. I bought them at Carlisle several years ago.

 

[Got_All_4]

Thanks Todd for getting up early to check yours! I mentioned earlier that I tried for an hour to stretch it over the rack body with no luck. I did use screwdrivers and pliers in this attempt. There is not much room under there to get leverage. Maybe the rubber is stiffer then the ones your using. Possibly if I use an exhaust pie stretcher and some heat that will do the trick.

 

[Aeroweld3033]

heat might damage the rubber before you get a chance to get the heat off. a good 90 degreee pick tool helps, just did the boots on mine ( 2" aswell ). get one side started and squirt some carb clean in there to quickly lubricate them then work the pick tool around it. Takes some patience thats all youll get em!

 

[Geo Hahn]

Here's a technique I used on the TR4 and later on my VW...

First I stretch the boot over a glass bottle. Easier to stretch it as the bottle was smooth, tapered and lubed with Vaseline and also filled with hot water (and boot also warmed in hot water). This relaxes the boot a bit for the next step:

Now I pull the boot off the bottle and am able to quickly get it over the plastic lid from a spray can:

I then trim (scissors) that lid leaving a ring of plastic that continues to hole the boot wide open:

Now the boot will slip over the end of the rack -- once it's there I pull the ring out and cut through it to remove it all together and the boot is in place.

Of course you will want to have a lid that is somewhat larger than the end of the rack and a bottle that is larger still. You have to tug and wrassle the boot a bit but now you're working on the work bench and not leaning over the car, etc.

 

[Got_All_4]

Good thinking Geo! I was trying to think of something to slide it over to strech it and I like the glass trick. it's been a few weeks now but I don't think it's possible to do the cap trick. As I recall there is not enough room at the end of the rack to work with.

 

[Geo Hahn]

...I don't think it's possible to do the cap trick. As I recall there is not enough room at the end of the rack to work with.

The VW (shown) had a lot of room on the rack so I left the ring of plastic quite wide -- but on the TR4 things were very close there, just a bit of rack that I had to get the boot on and I cut the ring quite thin. Still held the boot open as even a weak thin ring of plastic has nowhere to go.