bought some new boots for the axles from micks and have put them on.....but the last bolt on the larger (housing) end of the boot cant be done up as there is a gap where the rubber doesnt quite pull together and interlock......the round clamp doesnt quite pull the rubber together at the top and i can fit my finger into the gap left....this is the same for both sides. im going to get some longer bolts of the same size to try and pull it together and hopefully this will work.:alien.....the smaller end where it fits to the axle is fine and i can do up every bolt but the last one at the large end. has anyone else had this problem?
MikeM 路
:duh don't use a longer bolt you'll rip the boot.
These boots are a bugger to fit. The boots you bought are proably dodgy brazilian copies and you should have tried to source some german ones, but live and learn.
To get a good seal, which you want to do, you will need to get the boot to fit before fitting the bolts. You may have to heat the boot with a hot air gun to get it pliable enough to fit. If it was summer you could leave them lieing in the sun. Just get the fit right or the first time you go up the beach your tranny will fill up with sand 馃檨
The seal side (split) should be facing the back of the car, not pointing up or down. If it's pointing up or down it does not afford enough movement and will fail.
You will more than likely not want to use the hose claps that come with the kit either, they are usually crap or require a special tool to fit (german ones) you need to source some good stainless clamps from a hose suppliers (like tony powells) that are the right size.
Hope that's of help
vw54 路
Well there are several different qualities of boots available.
Yes the joint or seam should be pointing backwards and when fitting the boot should be pushed towards the gearbox.
Fit all the screws loose through the boot before you tighten any up and have the clamps around the axle.
You can also jack up the axle untill its level, makes the boot fit easier
Anthiron 路
thanks guys
Anthiron 路
they came from micks.....the clamps say they are a product of germany but i dont know about the boots
vw54 路
Well they sound right
Try jacking up the axle so its slightly above level this should make it easier
Anthiron 路
ok ill try that tomorow morning......gotta be at work by 3pm so that should leave me enough time if i get up early.
Craig Torrens 路
or use wheel ramps, this will mean the axles are close to horizontal, and it is easier to work under!
MikeM 路
Craig Torrens wrote:or use wheel ramps, this will mean the axles are close to horizontal, and it is easier to work under!
And allot safer too!
vw54 路
When you do get them fitted correctly make sure you check and top up the gearbox oil if required
MikeM 路
If the boots were buggered I'd consider changing the gearbox oil :duh
Anthiron 路
i used ramps to put them on but they are at my girlfreinds place (belong to her father).......this will be a stupid question but how do i change the gearbox oil?
$2.63 homebrand baja 路
*$2 is going to check which way hers are pointing as she realises they may be up,, as she was crawling under car at time and tightening them up at funny angle, as her elbows are not irs 180 degree angulation model*
hmmm hadn't really thought it thru there! :duh
hey nick, when undoing the plug on gearbox, get eirrin to help you hold the containor, to catch the oil, a small foam cup should do! hehehehe
*sigh* ahhh just joshing don't K!.... Just luv the smell of it, its the scent that just lingers,,,,on & on & on. :puke
Anthiron 路
wheres the plug and how do i fill it back up? what oil do i use?
barls 路
on the left side half way is the plug
RISKY^VW 路
btw how much did they set you back?
Anthiron 路
they were 11 bucks each if i remember correctly.....not sure where the invoice is.
[Edited on 5-7-2004 by Anthiron]
$2.63 homebrand baja 路
use premium grade stinkyoil made from rotten dino poo! There are 2 plugs (top one in and bottom one out.lol), best bet is go to eirrins dads and drain it there, he more than likely will have the oil there. To undo my plugs I had a 16mm nut welded onto a big alan key but once again her dad will have sumfin there!lol 馃檪
Anthiron 路
hmmm sounds like a plan thanks heather....i promise i wont blow up your letter box:P
dak dak ute 路
i thought ther was three holes, one for the diff, one for the gears and one to drain??? or is ther two drain holes???
$2.63 homebrand baja 路
yup sorry there are,, *sigh* I'm dodgey anyway so don't listen to me!lol
dak dak ute 路
i changed my gearbox rather then my oil.... to much metal in it and i couldnt get the filler holes open, just bent my tool........
vw54 路
17mm not 16
$2.63 homebrand baja 路
vw54 wrote:17mm not 16
:duh long day, just gonna delete post!lol. Oil still stinks though! 馃檪
Baja Wes 路
and when you put the clamps on the boots, make the screw join in the clamp line up with the join in the rubber. Then when you tighten the clamp friction pulls the rubber in with it.
If you have the clamp join opposite the rubber join then friction holds the boot gap open, and tries to pinch and wrinkle the rubber on the opposite side. make sense?
Anthiron 路
perfect sense wes.....in fact i tried that....didnt work all that good.....im about to go outside and have a crack at them again.
Thanks
Nick
$2.63 homebrand baja 路
just a thought, have you got them pushed to far towards the actual box? I found if you move them too close to box it ends up with gap...by wriggling them towards wheel, the gap went? (please excuse my poor posting last night, I really was tired!).馃檪
Anthiron 路
i have them pushed fairly close to the box......i didnt want them to come off lol
$2.63 homebrand baja 路
may b prob. good luck 馃槈
Anthiron 路
thanks heather
Camo 路
Baja Wes wrote:and when you put the clamps on the boots, make the screw join in the clamp line up with the join in the rubber. Then when you tighten the clamp friction pulls the rubber in with it.
If you have the clamp join opposite the rubber join then friction holds the boot gap open, and tries to pinch and wrinkle the rubber on the opposite side. make sense?
Yes this is an old post, but a good point above that I think I need to now follow.
Jacked my car up for first time after filling gearbox and oil seeped out of one of the axle boots (outer end), I will now go and try fitting the clamp as Baja Wes has pointed out with the clamp joint on the boot joint.
Thanks, Kevin
P.S. Thought this may also be good to refresh for others that may be doing this.