Steering Gear / Track Rod Gaiter chaffing & creaking

Long term forum reader, finally getting round to posting something!

My MK1 Fabia has an annoying creaking that I've tracked down to the OS gaiter on the track rod. Its rubbing against the wishbone as it moves inwards causing the creaking as they touch. When I squeeze/lift the gaiter just enough to clear the frame the creaking stops. When the wheels are centred the gaiter looks deformed - pronounced kink to the left (oo-er). Is this a badly fitted/distorted gaiter or could it be caused by a bad joint?

There doesn't seem to be any play in the rod, no other noises and steering is fine. I did experience some recent juddering when braking which was probably rear discs (now replaced but not tried yet). No tears or damage to the gaiter as far as I can feel/see. Had a lot of suspension work done (and redone *sigh*) last year but away from home so can't check to see if the track rods were renewed. The wishbone was replaced, new bushes and balljoint, also drop links. Any thoughts on cause/best way to remedy this? (Pic here: Cable ties mark start and end of chaffing section, distortion continues beyond that).

And track rod end at hub: 

Also on that side, the driveshaft is looking corroded and there is a section of its "coat" missing, about 1" x 2.5". Should I be replacing this or is it cosmetic damage? I have read in other forums of people sanding down the driveshaft and painting it pretty. Will the condition flag on MOT? The driveshaft on other side is 12mo, so this one looks all the worse in comparison (except for leaking cv boots on NS, pfft, but that's for another post). Cheers for input