I jacked the car up and when I took the wheel off I saw this.

Is it supposed to be that when the car is jacked up? I thought it was supposed to stay in place, and just stretch.

I had a look at the other side and the gaiter was locked in place stretched out as I expected to see it.

Then (perhaps foolishly) I touched it and it contracted and sproinged up to be the same as the other side. 😒

If it's not supposed to be like this, what's the fix please folks?

When I had lowering springs fitted on mine I noticed this, spent ages trying to pull it back into place and secure it. . . .then my mechanic said it was fine, I thought it was a bit weird though.

 

But they will sit themselves back down once the suspension is under load.

I fitted new struts and spent ages trying to get the parts to click together, I even took them off the strut to try on the bench without success, I concluded that they were never meant to clip together and the plastic collet is to centralise the gaiter when the weight is on the car, to stop it rubbing the paint on the strut body and perhaps squeaking.

 

Maybe someone with a newer vehicle will confirm that theirs are indeed clipped together but I could find no retaining mechanism on mine just like shown in the photo.

Thanks guys! That's a relief. They've always stayed in place until now, but to be fair, I haven't jacked the car up that many times.

I was using some of this stuff to keep my rubber's supple.

Not sure if it's a waste of time, or might do more harm than good, but I'm going to give it a go.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00295D0HY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

14 hours ago, EnterName said:

Thanks guys! That's a relief. They've always stayed in place until now, but to be fair, I haven't jacked the car up that many times.

I was using some of this stuff to keep my rubber's supple.

Not sure if it's a waste of time, or might do more harm than good, but I'm going to give it a go.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00295D0HY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've used gummi pflege on all my door and window seals before winter. . Helps them stop drying out and also freezing shut.

 

The one I used was in bingo style dabber pen, designed for the seals.

6 minutes ago, vrs'burks said:

I've used gummi pflege on all my door and window seals before winter. . Helps them stop drying out and also freezing shut.

 

The one I used was in bingo style dabber pen, designed for the seals.

I'm hoping it'll keep my gaiters supple. But I'm also going to use it on my window rubbers and door seals.

I spray it into a little pot and then brush it on, to minimise waste.

It should last a good while.