This tutorial is also available in French
➔
Steering rack gaiters change on Austin Mini
Vehicle ➔ Mini 1000 am1988
Difficulty ➔ Easy
Time ➔ 1 hour
Summary
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A torn rack boot must be changed without delay. Indeed, the boot protects the rack against any intrusion of dust or other projections. If you delay replacing the boot, you will have to change the rack.
There are several different rack boot kits available:
• BHM7113 : 2 identical boots. Length 4.5'' (11.4 cm).
• GSV1004 : 2 different boots. Lengths 6.5'' and 6.75'' (16.5 cm and 17 cm). Diameters on the rack side 42.4 mm and 26.7 mm.
• GSV1056 : 2 identical boots. Length 7.5'' (19 cm).
Be sure to check which boots are fitted to your Mini before ordering.
• BHM7113 : 2 identical boots. Length 4.5'' (11.4 cm).
• GSV1004 : 2 different boots. Lengths 6.5'' and 6.75'' (16.5 cm and 17 cm). Diameters on the rack side 42.4 mm and 26.7 mm.
• GSV1056 : 2 identical boots. Length 7.5'' (19 cm).
Be sure to check which boots are fitted to your Mini before ordering.
When you unscrew a steering ball joint from the rack, be sure to count the number of turns. When you have changed the boot, you can then put the ball joint back in place more accurately. Nevertheless, this will not exempt you from having the alignment adjusted afterwards.
The steering ball joint fixing nuts (GFK3323) are nyloc locking nuts. Before reassembling such a nut, check that the nylon ring is in good condition and guarantees braking. If in doubt, as a safety measure, fit a new nut.
Required Tools
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Packaging :
•
GSV1056 : The kit includes 2 rack boots + 4 fixing collars.
• The above nuts are sold individually.
• The above nuts are sold individually.
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Remove the steering ball joint
Op 01
Apply the handbrake.
Slightly loosen the 4 nuts on the front left wheel. Use the 11/16'' socket.
Place the Mini on axle stands or ramps.
Before working under the vehicle, make sure it is properly secured with axle stands or rigid ramps. Do not work under the vehicle supported only by a jack. It's too dangerous.
Op 02
Unscrew the 4 wheel nuts.
Remove the front wheel.
Op 03
Remove the steering ball joint fixing nut. Use the 9/16'' socket.
Op 04
Detach the ball joint from the steering arm. Use the ball joint puller.
Be careful not to tear the ball joint boot when installing the ball joint puller.
Op 05
Unblock the steering ball joint lock nut. Use the two 19 mm spanners.
Op 06
Remove the ball joint. Unscrew by hand.
Count the number of turns when unscrewing the ball joint. This will allow it to be positioned approximately during reassembly.
Check that the ball joint protection boot is in perfect condition. If the boot is torn (3rd photo), it will need to be changed (or the ball joint changed).
Op 07
Remove the steering ball joint lock nut. Unscrew by hand.
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Remove the steering rack boot
Op 08
Cut the boot fixing collar on the rack side. Use a cutter.
Remove the collar.
Op 09
Cut the boot fixing collar on the steering ball joint side.
Remove the collar.
Op 10
Remove the rack boot. Pull by hand.
Reassemble the steering rack boot
Op 11
Mark where the new boot should be positioned (rack body and steering rod groove). See the 2 arrows in the photo.
Op 12
Fit the new boot (GSV1056 kit):
•
Engage the boot on the steering rod. Push by hand.
•
Fit the boot on the body of the steering rack (3rd photo). Pull the boot by hand and if necessary use a piece of bent wire.
•
Fit the other end of the boot in the groove of the steering rod (4th photo). Push by hand.
Positioning the boot on the rack is not really easy to do. There is not much room and the boot is not very flexible. I succeeded by using a piece of wire with a bent end.
Op 13
Fit the boot fixing collar on the rack side.
Tighten the collar moderately. Use the Rilsan collar pliers.
Cut off the end of the collar that protrudes. Use the cutting pliers.
Do not tighten the collar too tight as this could damage the boot.
There is no need to position the collar on the steering ball joint side for the moment. When adjusting the alignment, the steering rod must be able to rotate without moving the boot.
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Reassemble the steering ball joint
Op 14
Replace the ball joint lock nut (NT608041) on the steering rod. Screw by hand.
Reassemble the ball joint on the steering rod. Screw by hand.
Screw the ball joint the same number of turns as during disassembly. This allows a first approach to the alignment of the front wheels.
Op 15
Firmly tighten the lock nut against the ball joint. Use the two 19 mm spanners.
The tightening torque of the ball joint lock nut is 52 mN. This operation requires a specific torque wrench with a flat spanner. If like me you don't have this type of wrench, tighten firmly.
Op 16
Engage the ball joint pin in the steering arm.
Op 17
Screw on the steering ball joint nut (GFK3323). Use the 9/16'' socket.
Tighten the nut to a torque of 30 mN. Use the torque wrench.
Op 18
Fit the wheel :
•
Fit the wheel on the drive flange.
•
Screw on the 4 nuts. Use the 11/16'' socket.
•
Lower the Mini to the ground. Remove the jack stands.
•
Tighten the 4 nuts to the torque corresponding to the type of rim. Use the torque wrench.
The tightening torque of the wheel nuts is :
• 63 mN for steel rims.
• 50 mN for alloy rims.
• 63 mN for steel rims.
• 50 mN for alloy rims.
Op 19
Change the rack boot on the right side. Proceed in the same way as on the left side.
Op 20
Have the front wheel alignment adjusted.
The End
