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?

: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

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

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

thanks guys

they came from micks.....the clamps say they are a product of germany but i dont know about the boots

Well they sound right

Try jacking up the axle so its slightly above level this should make it easier

ok ill try that tomorow morning......gotta be at work by 3pm so that should leave me enough time if i get up early.

or use wheel ramps, this will mean the axles are close to horizontal, and it is easier to work under!

When you do get them fitted correctly make sure you check and top up the gearbox oil if required

If the boots were buggered I'd consider changing the gearbox oil :duh

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 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

wheres the plug and how do i fill it back up? what oil do i use?

on the left side half way is the plug

btw how much did they set you back?

they were 11 bucks each if i remember correctly.....not sure where the invoice is.

[Edited on 5-7-2004 by Anthiron]

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

hmmm sounds like a plan thanks heather....i promise i wont blow up your letter box:P

i thought ther was three holes, one for the diff, one for the gears and one to drain??? or is ther two drain holes???

yup sorry there are,, *sigh* I'm dodgey anyway so don't listen to me!lol

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........

17mm not 16

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?

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

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!).

i have them pushed fairly close to the box......i didnt want them to come off lol

may b prob. good luck

thanks heather