Ace actuator gaiter

While loosening off my front shock absorbers this evening I noticed the gaiter on the front ACE actuator is split. Does replacement require a strip down of the ACE components and draining fluid? Not sure if I fancy tackling that job myself.

no it will need the nut undoing on the end of piston rod which may require some penertrating fluid and a scrape out

James. You got a part number for the gaiter as this has just reminded me mine needs doing too.

Does it require a special tool? Nut looks well hidden?

gaiter is rvx100000, might be worth getting a pair of drop links they arent dear and often easier to cut off though 16mm to hold joint and 18mm spanner to undo nut may work if not too rusty,actuator nut is just a nyloc nut

So I have been looking at the actuator and given I can get the nut on the end of the rod undone, how do I separate the rod from the long arm to be able to fit the gaiter? Does the rod push into the actuator?

if you remove drop link arm with ram on will be free too move

Excuse me for being a bit dense but RAVE doesn't refer to any of these parts as a drop link arm and given that the actuator is fixed I cannot get my head around which bit to undo to allow me to slide a new gaiter on the actuator.

the rod with a joint at each end connecting ram arm with axle

The vertical one in that diagram?

yes just so you can move arm

Thanks, I'll give it a go as soon as I get a dry evening next week. Got the gaiter ready to fit.

appreciate its an old thread but gators keep going
found mine today while replacing front swivel pins argh and cv joint and hub on front

Has any body managed to take off the top nut without the land rover tool and slip a new gaitor on ?

Alternatively one of the blokes on the aussy site has "protected" his gators with inner tube and circlips

As a short term I have used a cable tie to secure whats left but its going to need doing sooner or later
Any help grateful received

thanks
Tim

Done mine by holding the piston with a cloth and vise grips, DO NOT grip the piston directly with anything metal. That nut can be a a Pita to get out, clean it out with a flathead and some compressed air, it sits in a rubber bush thing so you might have to hammer the socket in there.. you’ll get it eventually. When your at it check all the joints for play.

Jamie thanks great to know we are not alone

I will do as you did and attempt removal of the top nut after a good clean don't feel up to a kebab in the heat so will have a go at it next week
Have soaked with wd40 and told it what needs to happen - well it worked on the swivels eventually -
will I definitely need a new bush or is it just a wait and see ?

Appreciate your time and advice
bw
tim