Steering: Power: Steering rack gaiter/boot recommendations

[Jungle_Jim]

Hi folks

Just wondering if anybody can suggest a brand of steering rack boot/gaiter (92 240 CAM power steering) - I'm not having much luck with ones I've bought in recent years - this is getting ridiculous.

I know best advice would be genuine - and I did manage to get a Volvo brand one last year for the drivers side - so we'll see how that goes - but I can't find a genuine one this time for the near-side, which now needs replacing.

The Volvo part number I believe is correct - for a 92 CAM power steering rack - is
#270597 or 270597 SK.
or is it
# 270882 ?

It's only a bit of rubber - but what a palava to change.

Thanks

[Clifford Pope]

If you don't tighten the clip on the rod then the rubber just slides along, so the concertina doesn't get strained when the steering turns . I discovered that by accident when I found mine was only partly clamped.

All the 240s I've owned have still had their original boots. My last one was still fine after 450,000 miles. I've never thought of them as wearing out.

[jasons]

I've just fitted a pair of MOOG boots, the only thing I didn't like was a cable tie for the rack/larger end, so I used a steel band instead.
They have the air valve in which I like.
Not a fan of universal fit things, not thermoplastic, I learnt the lesson with those thermoplastic CV boots that don't have the air valve in one race day, CV grease everywhere except inside the boot, never again.

The pair of MOOG ones were about 15quid the pair, that's all. not universal either

[Big 240]

Originally Posted by Clifford Pope

If you don't tighten the clip on the rod then the rubber just slides along, so the concertina doesn't get strained when the steering turns . I discovered that by accident when I found mine was only partly clamped.

All the 240s I've owned have still had their original boots. My last one was still fine after 450,000 miles. I've never thought of them as wearing out.

Do you mean that it's good practice to allow the boot end to slide by only tightening it enough so that the concerina effect doesn't wear out the boot?

[Clifford Pope]

Originally Posted by Big 240

Do you mean that it's good practice to allow the boot end to slide by only tightening it enough so that the concertina effect doesn't wear out the boot?

I don't know whether it's "good practice" or not, but it certainly works. A sort of air-valve I suppose. If there isn't a valve, and the rubber is clamped tight, what happens to the air inside when the boot expands and contracts? Wouldn't it tend to suck the grease or oil out of the rack?

[Big 240]

Originally Posted by Clifford Pope

I don't know whether it's "good practice" or not, but it certainly works. A sort of air-valve I suppose. If there isn't a valve, and the rubber is clamped tight, what happens to the air inside when the boot expands and contracts? Wouldn't it tend to suck the grease or oil out of the rack?

Aye that makes practical sense, and the proof is in the pudding I suppose (in this case your steering rack is the pudding)

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Clifford Pope

If you don't tighten the clip on the rod then the rubber just slides along, so the concertina doesn't get strained when the steering turns . I discovered that by accident when I found mine was only partly clamped.

All the 240s I've owned have still had their original boots. My last one was still fine after 450,000 miles. I've never thought of them as wearing out.

yes I totally agree with you having worked on them for 47 years although not so much in recent years of course.