I have replaced all My ball joint and tie rod end boots before...
My 68 Beetle had all new tie rod ends and ball joints fitted when it was restored before being registered in Dec 2005
shortly after, I found that most boots had been ripped apart..
when the large end turns it looks like the small end doesn't.. so the boot is ripped apart.. I replaced some again last year before Valla, including a new ball joint, but I have two ball joint boots ripped again..
Any good guaranteed boots out there?? I think all the ones I used were from REPCO ???
Maybe need neoprene.. or polyuethane ??
is this a rare problem??
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
I am currently using the repco ones.
I ahve different issues, where the big end comes off the flange (despite the rubber band holding it there) due to too much movement.
When i reinstall, i really push the small end up the taper to ensure its not pulling on the big end to try and prevent this.
A bit of ball joint appropriate grease on the taper/small end surface might allow the small end if hte boot to move up and down freely as required to not pull/tear the centre.
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!
Hi Chris
Yes, it just looks like its a dry joint problem, but I fill the boots up with grease and make sure the small end can move on the spindle..
maybe the big end should also move??
some ball joints have a wire ring holding the large end of the rubber boot,,
and some have a spring etc.. but all look like they are made to hold that end of the rubber fixed..??
Maybe We need longer boots.. so they don't get stretched..
but My car doesn't leave the highways.. lol
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
Yea the big ends aren't meant to move. Mine are secured with the springs sorry, not rubber bands (was rubber bands initially).
I wonder if german quality is still available? That might cure the woes, although i wouldn't be game to try NOS rubber boots. After all this time, the rubber would surely be ready to go kaputt.
68AutoBug wrote:Hi Chris
Yes, it just looks like its a dry joint problem, but I fill the boots up with grease and make sure the small end can move on the spindle..
maybe the big end should also move??
some ball joints have a wire ring holding the large end of the rubber boot,,
and some have a spring etc.. but all look like they are made to hold that end of the rubber fixed..??
Maybe We need longer boots.. so they don't get stretched..
but My car doesn't leave the highways.. lol
LEE
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!
Hi Chris
Yes, I agree, NOS rubber boots would be a little hard by now.. lol
so, not very flexible... NOW..
cheers
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
All my new empi ones (I know I know) cracked and split within the first 8 months of fitting. Wont make that mistake again🤪,saying that I don't want to go and replace them to have the same happen to a better( more expensive) set again so soon
I bought some road safe boots from bursons, they seam really ggod quality.
68AutoBug wrote:Hi Chris
Yes, I agree, NOS rubber boots would be a little hard by now.. lol
so, not very flexible... NOW..
cheers
LEE
Why?
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂
I got some ball joints with extra clearance from the states ( so they don't bind if I go extra low) and the rubber is already deteorating., does any one make replacement rubber for ball joints?
as above.
Oops,. Missed that post. Will make a trip to burson's thank you.
AA003 wrote:68AutoBug wrote:Hi Chris
Yes, I agree, NOS rubber boots would be a little hard by now.. lol
so, not very flexible... NOW..
cheers
LEE
Why?
Rubber in the old days was generally mostly rubber...
and it deteriated over time....
and went hard as a rock... so it was hard but not flexible as it was when made...
I have heard of people with NOS windscreen rubber and its not flexible enough to be fitted to a car.. same as door rubbers...
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
68AutoBug wrote:Rubber in the old days was generally mostly rubber...
and it deteriated over time....
and went hard as a rock... so it was hard but not flexible as it was when made...
I have heard of people with NOS windscreen rubber and its not flexible enough to be fitted to a car.. same as door rubbers...LEE
Just because your car was made in '68 doesn't mean the rubbers that you buy were. They could have been produced in 2009.
I read it on samba, so it must be correct.
Sometimes Volkswagen dealers sell spare parts. Amazing isn't it!😂
vwo60 wrote:I bought some road safe boots from bursons, they seam really ggod quality.
+ 1
the road safe ones are the only aftermarket ones that last I have found. Have not have one deteriorate at all yet despite few years of horrible harsh roads and driving conditions and nearly 140k.
Had some other boots that came with "OEM" (likely china) ball joints and they fell apart in 2 months, same as the tie rod ends.
roadsafe FTW!
71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE
68AutoBug wrote:AA003 wrote:68AutoBug wrote:Hi Chris
Yes, I agree, NOS rubber boots would be a little hard by now.. lol
so, not very flexible... NOW..
cheers
LEE
Why?
Rubber in the old days was generally mostly rubber...
and it deteriated over time....
and went hard as a rock... so it was hard but not flexible as it was when made...
I have heard of people with NOS windscreen rubber and its not flexible enough to be fitted to a car.. same as door rubbers...
LEE
I disagree. I find majority of NOS rubbers very soft and pliable. Some go hard due to poor storage.
I have some NOS type 3 boots for ball joints and the are soft as.
things like door, hood and boot rubbers do go hard but they aren't really rubber. its like a high density foam of sort.
71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE
Hi Vlad
rubber products that are kept in the dark with no sunlight etc may be OK...
Can Anyone can give Me a part number for a ROADSAFE 1968> Beetle ball joint rubber boot??
Ball joint numbers BJ131 and BJ132 ROADSAFE CATALOG
Boots should be the same for both .. but none listed..
I couldn't find any...?? but would like to order some..
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
