I just put some new boots on my 73 B. God only knows when the previous set
were all in one piece. I happened to use the dental syringe method. I found
these things pretty handy - a 10cc syringe with a curved 2 or 3 inch
probiscus - used to irrigate dental work by hand. The curved thingie allowed
me to stick it under the small gaiter opening and leave it there. Pulled the
plunger out, poured 90 weight in, put the plunger in, drove 'er home. I got
to be pretty good at it...I could do about 2 syringefuls a minute. And that's
pretty good, too..cause it took about 24-25 syringefuls to put in about 8 oz.
Finally took out the syringe, tightened the clamp on the boot - and listened
to happy racks as I turned the steering wheel.
Had not heard about the damper hole method - which I will perhaps use next
time so as to not disturb the clamped boots.
I did expect the subsequent ride to be smoother, and was slightly
disappointed - I did expect more of a dampening effect on bumpy road surfaces
from the oil in the rack. The steering wheel still vibrates quite a bit when
I hit a bump - doesn't feel "solid". I filled up the front shocks and, as
said, replaced the steering rack boots/oil. Any suggestions, or should I
accept the vibrato as a part of the overall experience?
PS - I counted tie-rod end threads before and after the boot installation
(put new tie rod ends on, as well) - worked very nicely, drove fine, though
I am having it aligned (by someone who knows more than me) before any real
driving occurs.
Doug - 73 red MGB near Boston.....
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