Rubber Boot for Track Rod End

[Stevie-Heathie]

Hi there,

The rubber boots on my track rod ends seem to split very quickly (within 12 months). Maybe I’m using the wrong size. Too small perhaps?

I can’t seem to find the proper specification anywhere. Can anybody help by advising correct size please?

Thanks
Steve
1967 S3 SE

[pharriso]

So your post here https://lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=44945 is misleading?

[Stevie-Heathie]

Well you have a good memory Phariso but I don’t think my 2019 post was misleading. I think I possibly ordered the wrong size in 2019. And 2020. And 2021, etc!

Do you happen to know the correct size / style please?

Best
Steve

[Stevie-Heathie]

(PS When I get an answer I’ll uodate that 2019 thread as well)

[pharriso]

Well you have a good memory Phariso but I don’t think my 2019 post was misleading. I think I possibly ordered the wrong size in 2019. And 2020. And 2021, etc!

Do you happen to know the correct size / style please?

Best
Steve

Sorry no Steve, I just happened to remember someone posting about this, did a search & found this post & was surprised to see it was your posting...

[ElanDNA]

Hello
I think this is the right one:
https://www.jamespaddock.co.uk/track-rod-end-gaiter-3
Greetings
Urs

[skelteanema]

Hi Steve,

It may not be the wrong size boot, it may simply be the quality of the rubber components in the boots. I refurbished my front uprights a couple of years ago and put on new upper ball joints already equipped with their rubber boots. These were obtained from one of the reputable suppliers of Lotus parts. The rubber boots split within a few months of use. I contacted the supplier and they could not replace just the rubber boots so sent two replacement ball joints at no cost. I did not fit these replacement ball joints as I managed to get just the rubber boots from Lotus Marques in Australia and fitted these to the ball joints on the car where the boots had failed. I don't know how long these will last as it has only been a few months since I fitted them.

The old ball joints had been on the car for 20+ years and the rubber boots were still intact.

[reb53]

When I did mine a couple of years ago I had a hunt around and found some off a Massey Fergusson tractor were virtually identical to the , (split), originals.
And best of all they were only a few bux a piece.
Tractor prices, not Lotus prices.....
For anyone in NZ, "Agspares" was the place.

Ralph.