All four drive axles boots are dryrotted and split. Repbuild or Replace?

[Doogie]

So, all four of 3589's drive axles boots are split. (Automatic Transmission). How easy is it to use this kit?


https://www.deloreanindustries.com/shop/parts/kits/kits-suspension-steering/axle-boot-kit-w-stainless-locking-tabs.html


Is someone selling rebuild axles assemblies?

TIA,

Doogie

[Dangermouse]

Relatively easy but messy.

There is a How-to in the "How To" section.

And Sean is selling a pair that have been rebuilt, I think. But you can check.

See his ad in the DeLorean Parts For Sale

[Ron]

FWIW- If you go the kit route (from anyone), everyone I know has beter luck pitching the large boot clamp and using a quality pull tie...easier and holds better.

[TTait]

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?3939-Rebuilt-Axles-DAP-vs-DPI-(Caveat-Emptor)

[jawn101]

The rebuild is very easy. But messy. Get some gloves and a cardboard (disposable) work surface and you'll be fine. The first joint will take you about an hour as you get your bearings (ha! get it?) and the other three will take maybe 20 minutes each.

[Dangermouse]

And even if only one boot was split on each side, you would replace all four while the axles are out.

[Nicholas R]

It's easy Doug. There are a bunch of steps, especially if actually disassemble the CV joints, but it's pretty straight forward. I'd definitely do it soon.

[EdR5150]

Not too hard, just messy. Get a big sheet of cardboard, gloves, couple rolls of paper towels, and a good degreaser. Myself and others have had the boots come loose when zip ties were used. My engine and transmission still has CV grease all over it. I highly recommend using the the large metal clamps instead of zip ties. You can borrow the CV clamp tool at Autozone. Be sure to pinch the clamp between the bolt holes. Zip ties are okay for the smaller end of the boot.

[Doogie]

Kewl! Thanks everyone! I think that's something I can tackle. I don't mind messy. Hey Nick, maybe this is something we can tackle at Ken's some Thursday night? :-)
:thumbup2:

[David T]

I would use the strap tie as a last resort. You cannot get it tight enough. Use the clamps. Best if you can get the special tool and really lock them on tight. Make sure there is no grease in the groove of the cup or the rubber boot will squish out. It is a messy job and a lot of small bolts that you can't do with a socket, you have to use an open end and/or a box wrench. Do not let the half-shafts hang, you will bend the cup on the large end that you fit the boot to. If you do bend it, it can be straightened. Not easy once you put the boot on though. If you have the time it is a good opportunity to paint the half-shaft.
David Teitelbaum

[stevedmc]

I would use the strap tie as a last resort. You cannot get it tight enough. Use the clamps. Best if you can get the special tool and really lock them on tight. Make sure there is no grease in the groove of the cup or the rubber boot will squish out. It is a messy job and a lot of small bolts that you can't do with a socket, you have to use an open end and/or a box wrench. Do not let the half-shafts hang, you will bend the cup on the large end that you fit the boot to. If you do bend it, it can be straightened. Not easy once you put the boot on though. If you have the time it is a good opportunity to paint the half-shaft.
David Teitelbaum

All hail Earl Hickey!

[Ron]

I would use the strap tie as a last resort. You cannot get it tight enough. Use the clamps. Best if you can get the special tool and really lock them on tight.What tool? Those are fold-over "clamps" David.

[jawn101]

What tool? Those are fold-over "clamps" David.

That style of clamp (Band-It) uses a wide variety of tools to get them tight enough.

I have this one:

http://www.band-it-idex.com/en/products/Tools/Thriftool.html

http://www.band-it-idex.com/images/products/pictures/Thrift-Tool.jpg

It can still be a little difficult even with the right tool to get it tight enough. I bet if I had one of the $200+ clamp tools (full list here http://www.band-it-idex.com/en/products/Tools/Tools_index_.html) I'd be better off than I am with the $15 one.

[Dangermouse]

The ones i took off the car were the fold over type

Howver the new ones I got from DMCH needed a special tool to tighten. Autozone are supposed to rent the tool, but my branch just looked at me funny when I asked about it.

So I got some SS zip ties (like the ones DPI) provides and used them on two. I used the plastic ones on one also and I can confirm that when the grease gets warm, it will leak out of there.

[jawn101]

The ones i took off the car were the fold over type

Howver the new ones I got from DMCH needed a special tool to tighten. Autozone are supposed to rent the tool, but my branch just looked at me funny when I asked about it.

So I got some SS zip ties (like the ones DPI) provides and used them on two. I used the plastic ones on one also and I can confirm that when the grease gets warm, it will leak out of there.

I despised the style of clamp that came with Houston's boot kits. I broke every clamp I had AND the cheap piece of junk tool that Autozone did eventually dig out of some trash bin behind the counter. As I said above, I might have been better off with a good quality tool, but ultimately I was just frustrated and sent in search of new clamps. I tried the Band-it style clamps like DPI sells, but the local store I was getting them from went out of business after I did only one boot!

I ended up using the big plastic zip ties with a thin layer of RTV on the cup under the boot. I cranked the zip ties down hard by rolling them around the tips of some needle-nose vice grips (this is essentially what that Band-It tool above does, too) and allowed the RTV to cure for well over 24 hours. No leaks. But I might kick myself the next time I have to rebuild these and all that RTV needs to be scraped off. With any luck that will be another 30 years from now, so I'll take the risk. :)

[Ron]

The ones i took off the car were the fold over type

Howver the new ones I got from DMCH needed a special tool to tighten. Autozone are supposed to rent the tool, but my branch just looked at me funny when I asked about it.

So I got some SS zip ties (like the ones DPI) provides and used them on two. I used the plastic ones on one also and I can confirm that when the grease gets warm, it will leak out of there. What kind of plastic ones did you use? I never asked where he [Sean] got them. Several of the SEDOC cars have them...We put them on Steve's at Sean's last session and he hasn't said anything about leaks so far with all of the miles he racks up. Gotta use what works for ya tho...?IDK?

[Dangermouse]

They were just generic zip ties. As you say, what I had handy. I had a couple of SS ones in a smaller size. I guess with greasy hands I just couldn't get the plastic ones tight enough.

[Ron]

Ah!...I didn't say "handy", I said "quality"!:deviltail:

lol. It does get slippery...I had to use pliers after repacking the first set of joints...

[Dangermouse]

You never did. You never said "quality" :shock:

Funny, Sean was the one who advised against plastic ones. :8ball:

[Ron]

You never did. You never said "quality" :shock:

Funny, Sean was the one who advised against plastic ones. :8ball:


FWIW- If you go the kit route (from anyone), everyone I know has beter luck pitching the large boot clamp and using a quality pull tie...easier and holds better.

:cheers1:

[stevedmc]

What kind of plastic ones did you use? I never asked where he [Sean] got them. Several of the SEDOC cars have them...We put them on Steve's at Sean's last session and he hasn't said anything about leaks so far with all of the miles he racks up. Gotta use what works for ya tho...?IDK?

Yeah.

[Dangermouse]

:cheers1:

OK, so I didn't scroll back up far enough.

I am man enough to say it:

Ron Sucks...ceeds


:yesss:

[stevedmc]

OK, so I didn't scroll back up far enough.

I am man enough to say it:

Ron Sucks...ceeds


:yesss:

Be careful saying that. Ron is the only moderator on this forum with a sense of humor. The rest will threaten to ban you because they really do suck.

Ron knows him sucking is just a joke.

[DMCMW Dave]

Ron knows him sucking is just a joke.

But a tired one.

[stevedmc]

But a tired one.

Dermont started it. (this time)

[Stainless]

I got new boots, grease and sweet boot clamps from Hervey. They were like super duty zip ties that didn't break and are holding up well after nearly a year.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w57/jlattin21/DSC01151.jpg