Have a broken rubber boot on the u-joint that attaches the steering shaft to the lower end of the steering column.

Got the boot OK-well Gator is the correct term.

But the shop manual instructions for removing the steering shaft don't seem to be right?



The steering wheel is tight and I can't pull up on the wheel to get anything to move?

Here is the shaft I am trying to get out. I have completely removed both pinch bolts on either end of the shaft and the shaft will slide back and forth on the splines.



I have removed the 3 bolts holding the steering box to the car but still can't move things around enough to get the splines to clear.

Has anyone removed this shaft?
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there is a nylon u clip and the bottom of the column,try and pull it out and the centre should pull out.

 

Inside the car at the base of the column I have 2 hose clamps. Maybe they are covering up this U-clip?

Yes!! Mine has a sheet metal collar to keep the brass U-clip from falling out. The clip goes in from the bottom of the column. The hose clamps were I guess an attempt to keep the sheet metal collar tight against the brass U-clip?

Here is the brass U-clip;


Under the dash at the base of the steering column you will find a sheet metal collar. This slips over the brass U-clip and keeps it from falling out.



With the steering shaft out how do you get the small end of the rubber boot over the nylon drive *****?



Does the axle the nylon ***** ride on press out of the steering shaft?
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thart's the Thrust Bearing and Circlip shown in the pictures above, they must be removed for the steering column to come out.

SNG Barratt - The Ultimate Jaguar Parts Specialist

 

I'm sorry but I was a bit unclear?


I only wanted to slide the steering column back far enough to remove the flexible steering shaft connecting the column to the steering box. I now have that shaft out and will be replacing the rubber boot or Gator.

This is the assembly;


Item 20 is the gator and has a big end and a small end. The problem is the small end fits tightly around the steering shaft and to install it you need to somehow get it past the axle where items 18 and 19 are installed.

But it's big and I think the rubber boot will tear if I try to force it over the end.
This is the shaft with the nylon ***** (item 18) removed;


I don't know if the cross pin can be pressed out or not? Looks like it might be a separate piece. May try it and see if it will move?

I still have the stub left from the old gator and I need to remove that. I have pushed and pulled but it stops hard and forcing it will most likely break it. Of course it's old and degraded so maybe new rubber would survive?

Has anyone replaced the steering shaft gator?
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There is a tool do do that job, works on an airline, it stretches the Gaiter so you can slide it over, it's really easy, but won't work on an old perished boot, but works a dream on a new one.

http://www.toolstop.co.uk/index.php?...SABEgKsjvD_BwE

You can also either use a funnel type thing in reverse and some red rubber grease, but that isn't as easy as it may sound, you need to lubricate the funnel to slide and expand the boot as it goes up, but everything gets slippery and you can't get a grip so there is a lot of swearing, and do not use a screwdriver or other sharp object to help or you will slip it !

Good luck, see if you can find a garage that has this tool, it will take 10 minutes or less to pop it on if they have it.

 

Well thank you very much for the education!

That is a handy tool! I have always installed split boots to avoid removing anything at all. But was never satisfied with the repair. It was just quick and cheap.

I think you are saying the new rubber will survive the trip?
I will study up on how to do it.
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I have ordered an CV Boot installation "Cone".




Get this all oiled up and slide the gator on and over the shaft.
Really like the air tool shown above but they are $150+.

So for my backyard project the $16 cone should work fine!
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That's the funnel option, see video above, and have fun !


This is the pneumatic tool, ten times the price, but 100 times less grief and mess.

But if you are only going to do this once or twice then the cone is the way to go.

 

Yes I watched both of them and the air powered tool is the best!

But thanks again for the education. It won't be that tough after all and I think the funnel method will get us DIY guys thru the repair.

Truly amazing how big those CV boots can be spread. I would have thought the rubber boot would just tear in two.
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