I had read a few threads on here about what to expect and how to do it. Watched a couple of youtube videos too.
Here was my experience for anyone else thinking of doing it.
1. Jacking the car onto stands. No trouble at all. Used the SGS 2.5 tonne low profile jack (£100) and their axle stands with rubber pucks that I bought from ebay.
2. Getting wheel off. No trouble. Bought a couple of those guide rods from ebay and it helped a lot getting the wheel back on.
3. Popping the ball joint couldn't be done by hitting it. The small tool I got from halfords wouldn't fit so I had to get the scissor type. Worked easily after a trip to the shops.
4. Getting the metal clip off the end of the gaiter/steering rack. Nowhere near as bad as people make out. Slipped a screwdriver in and twisted. Had to do it a few times, but basically straightforward.
5. Unscrewing the track rod. Piece of cake with £30 amazon purchased special tool. There are several types so let me know if you want to know which one.
6. Replacing the new gaiter over the end of the steering rack with the metal ring. A terrible job. There is no space to get your fingers in. Must have taken me nearly 2 hours of skinned knuckles (mind you I did stop for lunch in the middle). The thing that worked seem to be heating it with hairdryer (many times over) and using the pre-closed ring to push it with a long screwdriver. Frankly I don't really know if it's on properly, but it's not moving.
7. Putting the bush back in the wheel joint. The top of the track rod end has a small hex bolt (Lemforder parts) and it couldn't really take the necessary torque. Managed in the end, but couldn't really get the torque wrench on it.
All in all a tricky job (worst part - putting gaiter on), but just about doable DIY.
Allen
Here was my experience for anyone else thinking of doing it.
1. Jacking the car onto stands. No trouble at all. Used the SGS 2.5 tonne low profile jack (£100) and their axle stands with rubber pucks that I bought from ebay.
2. Getting wheel off. No trouble. Bought a couple of those guide rods from ebay and it helped a lot getting the wheel back on.
3. Popping the ball joint couldn't be done by hitting it. The small tool I got from halfords wouldn't fit so I had to get the scissor type. Worked easily after a trip to the shops.
4. Getting the metal clip off the end of the gaiter/steering rack. Nowhere near as bad as people make out. Slipped a screwdriver in and twisted. Had to do it a few times, but basically straightforward.
5. Unscrewing the track rod. Piece of cake with £30 amazon purchased special tool. There are several types so let me know if you want to know which one.
6. Replacing the new gaiter over the end of the steering rack with the metal ring. A terrible job. There is no space to get your fingers in. Must have taken me nearly 2 hours of skinned knuckles (mind you I did stop for lunch in the middle). The thing that worked seem to be heating it with hairdryer (many times over) and using the pre-closed ring to push it with a long screwdriver. Frankly I don't really know if it's on properly, but it's not moving.
7. Putting the bush back in the wheel joint. The top of the track rod end has a small hex bolt (Lemforder parts) and it couldn't really take the necessary torque. Managed in the end, but couldn't really get the torque wrench on it.
All in all a tricky job (worst part - putting gaiter on), but just about doable DIY.
Allen