Outer CV boot

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by AndyC, Aug 1, 2021.

  1. Whilst crawling under the bus yesterday replacing the fuel filter, I noticed the outer CV boot is split.

    What is the best make to go for these days? I remember I was always reading about boots splitting after less than a year! Hopefully things have improved.
     
  2. yorkieman, Spacecowboyuk and AndyC like this.
  3. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    I've got loads of boots kicking about Andy. Pm me your address and I'll stick one in the post tomorrow. They're GKN Lobro, which are ok. Should do the 4 years or so that Mick's have.
     
  4. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    I think that for some modern boots, they start to degrade as soon as they are made, so the longer they are kept around, the faster they fail in use.
    So if you buy them from an outlet with low stock turnover, they will fail faster than the same brand bought from a busier supplier.

    My VW ones (not available any more .. at £35 each , looked OK still yesterday morning ... ) had a sell before date on the pack of 2021 for instance.

    That was after managing all of 3 months for a Lobro boot from GSF ... Same brand before that lasted several years.
     
  5. This ^^ My JK ones were sat on a shelf for a year or so, looked fine until I went to fit them and they had perished on the folds
     
  6. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    They’re worse and it seems there’s a thread about them every couple of days.

    Sorry, I can’t answer your question, mine have been on for years but I can’t remember where I bought them – it wouldn’t have been JK theirs last 10 minutes, if you’re lucky.
     
    DubCat likes this.
  7. That’d be really kind of you. Thank you.

    Let me know your PayPal or something. Don’t want you being out of pocket.

    I’ll PM you now.
     
    theBusmonkey likes this.
  8. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    You can have the boot. I reckon postage will be way less than a pint of Guinness :D:D
     
    Lasty likes this.
  9. Well next time I get me ass to Techenders I owe you a pint!
     
    theBusmonkey likes this.
  10. JamesLey

    JamesLey Sponsor

    I’ve just ordered some of these as my next set. Hopefully a place that specialises in cv joints might last a bit longer.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  11. 4 1/2 Years is as good as I have had on boots. I dont do a great mileage on the T2 but a complete shaft on the Touran was ok till I sold it
     
    JamesLey likes this.
  12. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    @AndyC
    And yes, it is out of a Porsche 944 kit. Go faster going round corners now you will...:D
    On its way...
    IMG_20210802_110428_compress69.jpg

    IMG_20210802_093153_compress26.jpg
     
  13. Thank you very much! Looking forward to a quicker left rear wheel. :lol:
     
    theBusmonkey likes this.
  14. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Its all claimed that the problem started in 2008 when GM nearly collapsed, their provider of boot plastic went under. The world supply of the GM "spare" plastic that went into "specialist" parts like our CV boots dried up, causing certain manufacturers to start using other materials ..

    However, things like Porsches and other modern vehicles still use the same bolt pitches and compatible driveshaft diameters, we just need to find out the whole list so we can walk in to a main dealers parts department and say "I want four nearside outer front CV boots for a Volkswagen Toerag or whatever.", to be told that we a) dont have the VIN so we cant have them, b) we dont have four in stock, and c) you must be wierd wanting them all the same.
     
    Iain McAvoy likes this.
  15. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    @mikedjames , T2, T3, 924, 944 all use the same joint pattern and boots although the Porker joints have marginally smaller balls and are approx 3mm thicker. Bolts supplied are the same length.
    The premium maker is still considered to be GKN Lobro, but as we've seen other aftermarket manufacturers offer products that work well.
    I'm currently swapping 6 of the joints on the T3 to the 944 type and at the same time utilising 'thermoplastic' boots, hence the glut of boots. Whatever that material is, it's stiffer than the GKN ones in the box, however they are designed for a thicker shaft.
    The kit comes with a heat shrink sleeve that increases the od of the axle so the boots are a tighter fit.
    'Word' is that they last longer. That remains to be seen.
    I wonder if they are Tiguan. Must admit I only cross referenced the part number, a FEBI product if memory serves, just to check cost rather than fitment.
    Theres a 15 page thread on bus boots on the Samba! I don't have enough heart beats left to dive in tbh...
    Edit:
    FWIW, original joints and boots are the best. It's simply not necessary to change for changes sake. Unless the joints are totally fubar, it's worth just regreasing and slapping the old boot back on unless it's damaged, with new bolts and washers obvs. I wish I'd saved some of the old rubber and not changed it out because it was..old!
     
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2021
  16. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    I don’t suppose you’ve got a couple of decent ones I can buy off you have you? Both my inners are split. They need doing fairly soon. If you have and can throw in the van to go to Keith’s then great. No worries if not.
    Cheers
     
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  17. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    I read that thread on the Samba, people all had their own theories, some better ones were that EVs were throwing out ozone (they dont) and rotting the rubber.
     
    theBusmonkey likes this.
  18. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    @CollyP , I'm saving the other ones that came in the kits for spares for the other T3 and the bus. Had a good root around the shelves for unattached ones to no avail.
    However, one job next week is to swap these boots as part of the joint change I'm doing on the syncro.
    They're in really good condition and I'll clean them up for you, but not today!
    I'll get your address this weekend and post them out later next week for you.
    Talk later... Neil
    IMG_20210806_112702_compress18.jpg
     
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  19. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    Cheers Neil, see you later.
     
  20. I read on a Facebook group today that boots from a 2012 vw tiguan fit and last well
    I’m not sure how true it is.
     
    Zed and theBusmonkey like this.

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