s4 steering gaiter problem

[jmp]

Having established and solved the problem of the wheels touching the ant-roll bar I am still without the elan on the road. I'm struggling to get hold of the right length n/s gaiter. I've tried various ones from my local factors and in the end have bought one from Paul Matty. This is considerably shorter than the original and I can not get it to hold onto the rack on full lock. The diameter at each end of the gaiter are pretty well spot on Even with a threaded wire clamp I can not get it to hold on inboard side, it just slides off. Has anyone else had this problem? The parts people assure me that their workshops have fitted loads without a problem. WEll I have one,has anyone else and if so how did you solve it.
Any suggestions out there?
Frustrated s4 owner of Staffordshire

[oldelanman]

The problem is that grease gets onto the gaiter as you slide it over the ball joint and it won't then grip the smooth rack tube when you tighten the clip.

Try this......
Pull the gaiter off and thoroughly clean the grease off the outside of the rack tube with petrol or some other suitable solvent cleaner then wind a few turns of adhesive tape round the tube where the clip sits. This gives something for the clip to bite into....worked for me anyway.

[AHM]

as above except :
I stuffed a small piece of paper towel between the gaiter and the rack, working it around to remove the grease from both - repeat to make sure (it doesn't need to be perfect).
Carefully slide the gaiter to the correct position, and do up the clamp.

leave it alone for a day and it will stay put.

[cbguerrajr]

have you tried this: loosen the small clamp then turn the steering full lock in the direction so that the length is the shortest, then re-tighten the small clamp while compressing the boot (gaiter) as far as it can go. that reduces the tension while steering is full lock the other way.
that worked for me