Changing the steering rack gaiter in place?

[droptop]

Can I change the gaiter on my manual rack without removing it from the car?
I haven't got down and dirty with it yet, only read the Haynes description of the horrors that await!
What I'd like to do is remove the clamps, disconnect the tierods at the rack and slide off the old item and slide on the new one.
As I'm replacing the downpipe-to-manifold gasket at the same time, I'm hoping this will free up some space for me.
How far into Wonderland have I trodden with this plan/
I'm sort of basing my perceived success on having replaced the sump gasket with the engine still in place which I was since told can't be done? (I also possess fingers like a midwife, if that'll help)
Ah, ignorance IS bliss!

[peteracs]

Hi Frank

You probably can, but suspect it will be messy with the oil that will drip out.....

Peter

[HFStuart]

Frank,

You could do this by taking it off the N/S end.

The Haynes manual makes a lot of fuss about the rack being difficult to get to. I don't know why because there are far harder jobs on a Beta. Access is through the wheel arches rather than from on top or underneath.

To be honest the extra work to remove the rack is on only to release the bottom steering column UJ. That can be a bit of a pain to get back on but the rest of it is easy enough. I reckon I could have a manual rack off inside 30mins with the tie rods - the sump gasket with the engine is more of a ball ache but as you've found that too is possible!

[droptop]

Hi Frank

You probably can, but suspect it will be messy with the oil that will drip out.....

Peter

I have a horrible feeling that there'll be no oil left to come out.
Now I'm wondering if I should remove the rack in order to properly lubricate it!

Stuart, the bottom UJ is a pain all right but I may well have to face the challenge in order to properly service the rack as I had completely disregarded the chance of oil loss.

Sound advice as usual gentlemen and I thank you.

[Nigel]

Yes you can. The fiddly bit is putting the steel spacers in thru the holes and then getting the tie rod bolts in
thru the whole lot without them dropping inside the gaitor.
Once it's all together, fill the gaitor with the correct amount of oil by raising the left side of the car as high as you can,
and squirt it in thru the tierod 'gap'.