Hi as the subject suggests, i am due a MOT this week and have found a split in the rubber boot on the drivers side side of the steering rack. I have turned it round so the split is on the top and not visable, but wondered if they do find it would they fail it for that??
Thanks 
Yes it will.
If one as gone then the other will not be far behind it ,so get both done ,job done and forget about them
M-m
Yes and false economy too especially putting the split at the top where it will catch and hold water to rust the inner tie rod ball joint,
Its the black rubber bits you can see on this one. Is there any easier way of replacing them, than taking the wheel off, removing track rod ends and sliding them on???
Thanks again
Yes they’re often called rack gaiters and the rusty pic is the inner tie/track rod ball joint inside the gaiter. The outer tie rod ball joint is the Track Rod End.
There used to be a split gaiter available which you wrapped round and glued along its length but it was very difficult to keep everything grease free to glue so they weren’t very good.
Straightforward enough job but if you don’t have tools etc probably best left to a garage, shouldn’t be too expensive.
Take off the wheel. Undo the TRE locknut and see if the track rod will turn easily, it should do if the inner ball joint is in good condition and not worn. Turning the track rod allows you to unscrew it from the TRE without taking the TRE off the steeering arm. Count the threads showing before undoing the locknut as you’ll then be able to reset tracking to the same after sliding the old gaiter off and the new one on.
If yours is power steering I think you should just find (hope) a clean greased inner ball joint. If it looks dry you can clean and re-lube it then fit new gaiters and clips.
No
M-m
Hi, Passed the MOT with only one adviserory for corosion on the rear sills!
He must have not seen it! Any way got the parts now just have to wait for it to stop raining so I can replace them…
Thanks for the advice…