Axle boot question

I put a set of cheap Mexican or Brazilian axle boots on the bus I'm working on and they've already split. And the bus hasn't even moved out of my shop! I've rolled it backwards and forward a total of about 12 feet since I installed them. (They were free, someone gave them to me.)

I want to replace them with good German split boots. Do I have to remove the axles again to get these junk ones off or do you cut the old rubber away and leave the metal flange? And would the split boot go on over the flange? If I have to remove the axles, I can put either type of boot back on. Are the colored (polyurethane?)ones any good? Any recommendations?

Thanks

If you get the split ones, you won't have to remove the axle. Cut the old one off, put the new one on and seal it up. Yes, the big end of the boot goes over the flange of the transaxle. I never have had much of a problem with it, but it is said that the seam of the boot should be in the 2 or 10 o'clock position (not straight up in the 12 o'clock position). This is supposed to help it flex better and resist tearing. Also, before you tighten the smaller clamp on the outside end, be sure to push the boot inward a little (towards the transaxle) to compress it a bit. This will also help keep it from stretching and splitting.

It's a '78 (the fire truck) bus. Brand new, outta' the wrapper boots. It's a solid axle, so 10 O'clock or 2 O'clock on the split boots wouldn't matter, right? There are ridges on the axles for the smaller clamps to go in between, I think. I repacked the CVs and pretty sure they're right but maybe I eff'ed up somewhere? Sumpin' don't look right.

I think that he and I all thought this was on your splittie.
Your going to have to pull the axles again I am afraid.
At least it isn't as difficult to do as the splittie's axles.
Plus the fact that they are all shinny and new means there is no corrosion to inhibit the removal.
KC

ASBug wrote:I think that he and I all thought this was on your splittie.

Yep!
I'm totally lost on them new fangled CV contraptions. Good luck with it!

Thanks guys. So now....... what would you suggest? I'd like to put some color under there, like the baja red boots, but if they're not worth a crap, what? (Say something...I'm trying to get outta' the Dub Noob moniker.)

Call this guy in Dalton, GA.
He is too far away from you to buy from, but I believe he'll give you the straight dope on what is good and what isn't.
He has a business - American / Foreign Auto Parts and is a great guy.
Lamar @ 706-275-6257.
He would probably ship to you, but I am sure you have someone closer to you.
KC

You have to pull the bearing off the axle to change the boots. as far as I know there are not any split boots for cv axles only for a swing axle

you will have to pull the cv joint but looking at were the clamp is i think you had the clamps pulled out to far so it tore them when it rolled

Yeah, it seemed like they were stretched out a little but there are ridges on the axles about an inch apart and it looked like that's where the screw clamp would go. (You can see them in the picture) Thanks for the help.

The guys on thesamba seem to think that Rockford boots are the best. I have no clue where to find them though. Bus IRS boots seem to be crappy regardless of the price. Try searching rockford cv boots on google?

From their Web site looks like ones for a Transporter are $44 ea! part #339-22. Bug cv boots are $11.
http://www.rockfordcv.com/rcvboot.htm

$44 is a little rich. I think I'll just find some more cheapos and change them out when they pop. Clyde, do you have any?

You have a pm.