Technical Steering issue

[Kevincamper]

Hi , I'm Kevin. I have a Ducato 2.8 JTD maxi Autotrail Motorhome . Year - 2001.
I'm looking for the seal / gasket for the 5th gear cover and the gaitor on the end of the steering column onto the rack .
Tried lots of places but keep being told no longer available?
Can anyone help.

 

[bugsymike]

On the gearbox end cover gasket, providing the surfaces are clean and flat, then a good quality RTV instant gasket may do the job if instructions followed re curing, alternatively it may be possible to make a gasket out of suitable gasket paper as we used to do in the past, tapping them out using a small hammer and then a ball bearing to stamp out nice round holes where the bolts go through.
Re the rubber gaiter I assume you mean at bottom of steering column that covers the universal joint.
Many vehicles don't even have them , but if you want to fit something in place of the original, you may find that a "universal rubber steering rack gaiter" the ones that come in pairs to go on the outer ends of steering rack may be possible to adapt.
They are often available form Motor Factors although I would say they are often softer low grade rubber which makes them easy to stretch over in some cases, aiding fitting , but doesn't help them in lasting a long time!

 

[Kevincamper]

Thank you for the reply. I have used liquid gasket on the 5th gear cover which seems to be OK . As for the gaitor on the base of the steering column as it enters the rack I will try to adapt a universal one . Thanks for your help.

 

[Communicator]

On the gearbox end cover gasket, providing the surfaces are clean and flat, then a good quality RTV instant gasket may do the job if instructions followed re curing, alternatively it may be possible to make a gasket out of suitable gasket paper as we used to do in the past, tapping them out using a small hammer and then a ball bearing to stamp out nice round holes where the bolts go through.
Re the rubber gaiter I assume you mean at bottom of steering column that covers the universal joint.
Many vehicles don't even have them , but if you want to fit something in place of the original, you may find that a "universal rubber steering rack gaiter" the ones that come in pairs to go on the outer ends of steering rack may be possible to adapt.
They are often available form Motor Factors although I would say they are often softer low grade rubber which makes them easy to stretch over in some cases, aiding fitting , but doesn't help them in lasting a long time!

That evokes memories from the past, but the ball end of a small ball pein hammer applied with light taps was used to punch out the bolt holes. Ball bearing seems an interesting alternative.

 

[bugsymike]

That evokes memories from the past, but the ball end of a small ball pein hammer applied with light taps was used to punch out the bolt holes. Ball bearing seems an interesting alternative.

We used that method on motor bike engines using cornflake packets for gasket material, needs must when the devil drives.
I still have a selection of ball bearings, they cut a nice round neat hole with just one tap.

 

[Kevincamper]

Yea , did this myself on smaller projects .
If the cover was a bit better I could do it but the sealant seems to have done the trick.
Thanks , Kev.