left hand side steering gaiter

Hello right I'm a bit annoyed and I would let the garage know about it, well basically I had my tracking done well when i had a look at the steering gaiter it was well wrapped around the track rod, i went back to the garage and said the steering was abit funny, he suggested the tyres were worn and maybe needs new tyres, I pointed out the steering gaiter being wrapped around the track rod, he reply was the tracking was so bad that it had to be adjusted so that why the steering gaiter was so wrapped around the rod, any way I had my new tyres and called the garage up again and booked it in so they could recheck the tracking, now when I looked at the gaiter its totally  split, the right hand one I just saved by adjusting it straight again, surprised why they didn't do it when it was with them, any ways I need to put a new gaiter on so the track rod end will need to be removed so I am going to call the garage explain the situation as having the tracking seen to again and then doing the steering gaiter will be pointless, I'm so annoyed tho how useless some of these garages are with little care to peoples pride and joy its breaks my heart, anyways also guys would I need to get a gaiter kit with grease and repack it as I seen some in AVS spares with grease and some without so just want to know if I still need the grease, thanks guys sorry to moan just hate it, now I know why I rather do my own repairs then let garages touch it shame I don't own a Hawkeye tracking machine,

give it some grease if it looks dry, you dont need to go mad with it though just make sure the rack teeth are nicely lubed and a bit smeared all over the moving parts under the boot

be sure tyo mark the nut and rod position with tipex before you go ahead and remove the rod end then you can get it back to how it was before.  they should only have adjusted the right side though, the left side is supposed to be fixed from factory. that and the fact it was 'very far out' suggests someone has been in there and messed it up or they are totally clueless

reference this to check your rack is close to factory:


also if the track rods have ever been off you may want to check the rack is centred as well

Thanks john appreciate it mate, I was shocked how they were like it was so far out and that why the gaiter Is wrapped around the rod, it was only a case of taking the clip off and making the gaiter straight, I'm quite shocked they did say bring it back but to be honest I rather not as its just going to be a case where they will do something else and to be honest I can't keep replacing parts, like I was at the tyre place man uses a rattle gun to take of my wheel and breaks a nut I was like can you undo them manually with a breaker bar and socket, so he tried and had no luck so I asked if I could undo them for him, so I ended up undoing all the bolts, luckily I had a spare wheel bolt to replace the broken one, so I don't really like garages it makes me more afraid to take my car to them , and I don't even use a back alley mechanic I use well know garages which have branches nationally, so it makes me very afraid what these people must do to, cars that owners have little knowledge about mechanical side of cars

On the track rod there should be a bit round rubber washer which the steering boot fit's onto, when you change your boot push the rubber washer back a little and smear a little grease on the track rod then pull the washer onto the grease and move it around so it will spin around on the track rod (It does not need to be lose just able to move), so next time some one adjusts the tracking the steering rack boot will stay fairly straight and the rod will spin in the rubber washer.

Smear a little copper grease on your wheel bolts, stops them sticking on the hub incase you get another tyre place with a buzz gun as that's what they all seem to use.

Thanks john and mark, great tips and help from 2 mk1 legends keep up the good work .