split..

[gtitdi]

just noticed that one of the rubber boots under the bonnet has split. I think it's the one to the steering not the drive. What sort of job is it to change one of these? Also the car's booked in for an MOT in 3 weeks - would it fail on this?

Thanks

[boneybradley]

It sound's like your steering rack boot has gone....And it is an m.o.t failure!!!
you can buy universal one's but go for a correct fitment as there's not much difference in price. to change you need to unbolt your rack (at the tie rod end and these should knock out simple enough or better still use a splitter) from the suspension and cut/pull the old one off. The new one should slide straight on and fasten's up with tie wrap thingy's.
they just need to be sealed to stop dirt and road mess for the m.o.t

[monkeyalan]

is it to the left of the manifold , just as the column comes through the bulkhead?

If so , mine was split all the time I owned my mk3 and it got through 3 mots no problem.

[rubjonny]

it should be an MOT failure, just depends if they notice it!  Swapping it isnt too bad you just need to peel it back and undo & remove the 13mm nut & bolt holding the UJ to the rack, then go inside, remove the lower ignition lock trim and unbolt the ign lock surround from the outer column tube.  Then you can pull the whole column up a bit to release the UJ, refitting is the reverse of removal

[gtitdi]

thanks for the replies, i thought i'd better get it done just incase so i've just ordered the bits from the stealer - came to £25 for the boot, two new clips and the nut, expensive as usual!