Tie-Rod Boots

[gromit]

I replaced the boots on the tie-rods of my Series 1 just prior to Cooma but left the originals on the drag link.
Had a check over the S1 at the weekend and all the boots I replaced have fallen apart, the originals on the drag link are still OK.

The ones I originally fitted came from 4-Wheel drives.
I went to Scotts Old Auto Rubber today and they supply the exact same ones (their words not mine).
Ended up at an auto parts supplier and got some 'Road Safe' boots (RB18K), made in Taiwan from "Chloropene Rubber which is treated for high ozone & weather resistance".

Has anyone had experience of these 'Road Safe' boots or is there a 'quality' alternative available that lasts more than a couple of years ?


Colin

[bee utey]

Dunno, but I bought some of these recently, will see how long they last...

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/370453041569'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648)

[chazza]

Same thing happened to mine Colin, sitting in a shed :mad:

I was delighted to see that the steering-relay oil seal sprang a leak 2 years after installation, whilst sitting still in the same shed :mad:

I bought mine from the mob in Melbourne,

Cheers Charlie

[gromit]

Dunno, but I bought some of these recently, will see how long they last...

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/370453041569'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648)

I'm in Carrum Downs on business tomorrow I might see if they have them 'over the counter'.

Colin

[gromit]

MD Tractors have boots for $2 (cash). The smaller hole is a bit small so it will have to be stretched into place and there are no garter springs supplied.
Supplied by Sparex in Devon, England Sparex Ltd is a world leader in the supply of Replacement Parts and Accessories for agricultural tractors and machinery. (http://www.sparex.com) part number S.40193.

The ones I sourced earlier in the week (Road Safe - Taiwan) were $10.72 for 2 boots including a garter spring for the larger diameter.

Both seem much better quality than those from 4-Wheel Drives. The tractor ones, if they stretch into place, should be OK because farmers would be quick to complain if they failed :)


Colin

[bee utey]

MD Tractors have boots for $2 (cash). The smaller hole is a bit small so it will have to be stretched into place and there are no garter springs supplied.
Supplied by Sparex in Devon, England Sparex Ltd is a world leader in the supply of Replacement Parts and Accessories for agricultural tractors and machinery. (http://www.sparex.com) part number S.40193.

The ones I sourced earlier in the week (Road Safe - Taiwan) were $10.72 for 2 boots including a garter spring for the larger diameter.

Both seem much better quality than those from 4-Wheel Drives. The tractor ones, if they stretch into place, should be OK because farmers would be quick to complain if they failed :)

Colin

I generally twitch up a bit of soft steel tie wire to hold the boots on, the springy rings are crap if the ball joint gets an angle up. Just nick them off the failed boots if you prefer them.

[gromit]

The boots from MD Tractors fit OK, just need to lube the top of the rubber to stretch it into place.
The garter springs were available from 4-Wheel Drives as a separate item plus I think most bearing places can get them if your originals are damaged. Otherwise a twist of wire or a thin cable tie would do the job....


Colin

[JDNSW]

The boots from MD Tractors fit OK, just need to lube the top of the rubber to stretch it into place.
The garter springs were available from 4-Wheel Drives as a separate item plus I think most bearing places can get them if your originals are damaged. Otherwise a twist of wire or a thin cable tie would do the job....


Colin

The advantage of the springs over the alternatives is that if stretched slightly, by a small stick or stone hitting them, they spring back, whereas the wire or cable ties do so to a lesser extent, and rely on the elasticity of the rubber to supply this resilience. This is less to start with, and will decrease over time. How many seals do you find without this sort of spring? (And, with a bit of fiddling, your discarded hub seal can supply a replacement spring)

John

[gromit]

Replaced the boots at the weekend.
The tractor ones are a bit tight on the shaft so if they fail it's likeley to be this end that splits. I removed the garter springs from the old boots (the only part of them that's any good !) and moved the larger springs to the new boots.

I'll take the old ones back to 4-Wheel Drives and complain, not that it'll do any good........

Colin