Axle boot torn prematurely

[Ryan S.]

I don't know how this happened. I was changing oil over the weekend and discovered that my new 2 months old CV boots are all torn off. Outer axle boots by the wheels are ok but not the ones by the transmission.
I drove about 300 miles after I replaced axle boots.
I am wondering if anyone encounter this before??? My car has lowered suspension if that makes any differences.
Thanks
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8672332381_840c9cde9f.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/8672329939_21c55b8928_n.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8672325289_39a1ba872d.jpg

[jawn101]

I don't know how this happened. I was changing oil over the weekend and discovered that my new 2 months old CV boots are all torn off. Outer axle boots by the wheels are ok but not the ones by the transmission.
I drove about 300 miles after I replaced axle boots.
I am wondering if anyone encounter this before??? My car has lowered suspension if that makes any differences.
Thanks
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8672332381_840c9cde9f.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/8672329939_21c55b8928_n.jpg http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8529/8672325289_39a1ba872d.jpg

Hey man - that is early for this to happen, for sure. But I also know your car is totally slammed in the rear and it wouldn't surprise me if it's stressing your boots in a weird way. They may also have rubbed on your trailing arm shields, I know your half-shafts wore a slot right into those so they're definitely touching.

[David T]

If the smaller end was stretched out to far it could be the cause. Lowering the car puts a bigger angle on the boots making them flex more. If the band was tightened way too much it could have damaged the boot or maybe it got damaged during installation.
David Teitelbaum

[vwdmc16]

Yeah I trimmed the undershields on his car so they wouldnt rub anymore, I think it may be a combination of being too low and clamps too tight, Ryan's car is about 1/2 lower than mine with its pretty slammed

[Ryan S.]

Thanks for all your feedback. Also found out through Google search that lowered cars tend to have similar issues. I guess it makes sense with bigger angle. It is time to raise the car up. Hey Clint, no more low riders for us.
:wrenchin:
It is pretty nasty under the car now. Is there a good way to clean out those greases?

[jawn101]

Thanks for all your feedback. Also found out through Google search that lowered cars tend to have similar issues. I guess it makes sense with bigger angle. It is time to raise the car up. Hey Clint, no more low riders for us.
:wrenchin:
It is pretty nasty under the car now. Is there a good way to clean out those greases?

I definitely agree that it's time to raise your rear end (phrasing)... :)

As for the grease, well - you definitely won't wanna drive much until you can remove and rebuild the shafts again - the mess will just get worse as will the risk of damaging joint components. As for all the goo that's already flung around, a rag and a solvent that's safe to use on whatever surface you're cleaning is pretty much the only option.

But hey, at least rebuilding those axles is kind of a fun job. Tip: remove all but 1 bolt at both ends, then remove the final bolt while supporting the shaft so you don't ever let it hang down while still connected at one end. Doing so can warp the cup.

[SS Spoiler]

I always wondered what the purpose of the tin shields were? Took mine off 22 years ago.....no problems

Paol Cerny #2691

[Ryan S.]

I went back and reviewed old photos of original cv boots and looked identical to the current photos of torn cv boot. Yupp... Time raise my butt. Question is by how much???

[Dangermouse]

Now I'm curious. Just how low is your car? And what did you use to lower it?

[jawn101]

I went back and reviewed old photos of original cv boots and looked identical to the current photos of torn cv boot. Yupp... Time raise my butt. Question is by how much???

Ryan - I think the thing to do is get it back to stock height first and then lower it from there. You have the SPAX shocks in the back, right? We might need to take out your springs, compare them to stock or even the "correct" lowering springs and make a judgement call at that point


Now I'm curious. Just how low is your car? And what did you use to lower it?

Crazy low.

[Dangermouse]

Crazy low.

I think some photographic images would be appropriate at this juncture to appraise the reader of said "craziness" 8)

aka

Pics Please !!!

[vwdmc16]

Ryan has dmchs set up. Eibachs and springs, the height adjuster is nearly maxxed out on the bottom, so it should be easy to raise the rear up plenty.

As for the height. The very top of the tires are hidden by the fender arch when he is driving, its low

[Ron]

Crazy low.I was going to say...



I think some photographic images would be appropriate at this juncture to appraise the reader of said "craziness" 8)

aka

Pics Please !!!
+1

[jawn101]

Haha, sorry guys. Didn't mean to write a descriptive check my butt couldn't cash. Ryan will need to provide the pics, I haven't taken any of how his car sits in the rear :) But like Clint said a few posts up, the outer edge of the tire disappears into the well. The whole car is lowered but still has a fairly pronounced nose-high appearance.

[Ryan S.]

I wouldn't exactly call it "crazy low" but it is low, almost same height as my other car. PO did this. I think if I raise it up by 1" or so, it would look much better. Plus, my CV boots would last longer.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8682661186_ce97e9f4cc_c.jpg

[dmc3130]

I wouldn't exactly call it "crazy low" but it is low, almost same height as my other car. PO did this. I think if I raise it up by 1" or so, it would look much better. Plus, my CV boots would last longer.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8682661186_ce97e9f4cc_c.jpg

Hey Ryan,

I think your right, raising up would def make it look better and also will help with the handling. IMHO :dunno:

Stephen

[Ryan S.]

Stephen
I didn't think about handling, but I think you are right. More reason to change.

[Ryan S.]

.
Before

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8682661186_ce97e9f4cc_c.jpg
After.
I raised it up by 1". Looks much better now. I think it could go up another 0.5 to 1" for more aggressive look. What do you think?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8412/8696994383_217d94cfa6_c.jpg

[jawn101]

Sure looks a lot more even now. Be careful making it nosedive too much or you'll bottom out on inclines :)

[Domi]

Looks much better like this :thumbup2:

[Dangermouse]

Definitely now looks less like you have a body stuffed in the rear :shhh:

Nicely balanced

[Ryan King]

I replaced my boots a few months ago and they have already come loose.
Does anyone know if you can get these locally?

[painterdave72]

but they cost more than the vendors and take just as long to get one...

[cybercusp]

2008120082200832008420085

Also had premature boot failure on all four boots after less than 10,000 miles and 6 months. My car is lowered but not crazy lowered. 20086
The previous boots had been in place for years without issue even with the car lowered. I only replaced them as an annual maintenance. Possible defective boot?

[DMC5180]

That seems like a defective rubber composition. It seems that lately (Synthetic rubber compositions are missing some key ingredients that used to make them hold up longer) I don't see any reason those boots should have failed like that.

See if there is a country of origin mark moulded into them.

[Ryan S.]

2008120082200832008420085

Also had premature boot failure on all four boots after less than 10,000 miles and 6 months. My car is lowered but not crazy lowered. 20086
The previous boots had been in place for years without issue even with the car lowered. I only replaced them as an annual maintenance. Possible defective boot?

Where did you get yours from?

[cybercusp]

They're DMCH boots.

[Ryan S.]

Me2.

[Delorean Industries]

Me2.

There was a supplier change some where along the way. I was presented with a pair at a tech meet last weekend to install and I said no way. If they were the same boots (these were from dmch) I can understand the problems.

[jawn101]

I believe all of mine say Rockwell on them. Don't remember where I got them from as I did them in 2 batches - but I think at least 2 came from Josh? I know none were Houston. My car is lowered and no tearing on the boots at all.

[Delorean Industries]

I believe all of mine say Rockwell on them. Don't remember where I got them from as I did them in 2 batches - but I think at least 2 came from Josh? I know none were Houston. My car is lowered and no tearing on the boots at all.

That is correct. It is a proven quality product. The switch was probably made from Rockford due to the lack of profit. We make nothing on our boot kits in an effort to stay competitive.

[vwdmc16]

I got a set of Josh's on my car and Im happy with them so far!


Thanks for Sacrificing to keep prices reasonable Josh!