Jim, do you have an idea of what brand boots you were installing?

I have been installing different brands from GKN/Lobro, Meyle, Rien, and
even some complete axle shafts by EMPI (China).  I haven't been having any
problems with any of these and I have customers that come back here every
spring or every couple of springs as they restore their vans a little at a
time.  Maybe there is something that you are doing that is causing them to
fail prematurely?  I don't fill the boot with grease, just pack the joint.
I never clamp the small end of the boot to the axle.  I always make sure
that the boot is fully extended and snapped into the groove on the axle
shaft.  To be fair and I usually replacing the joint as well so maybe the
old joints are causing the boots to fail?  I am just throwing things out
here to see if we can help you figure this out.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

On Tue, Apr 23, 2013 at 9:22 AM, James Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:

> No, I never fasten the axle end, as I noticed that the factory did not do
> it when I bought my 90 new. I drove that car for over 200k miles and didn't
> replace a boot. My 83 camper came to me with aftermarket boots and I have
> had to replace them at least four time in the ten years I've owned it. They
> seem to be worse as time goes on. I will try your Febi boots.
>
> Jim
>
> On Apr 23, 2013, at 4:44 AM, Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM> wrote:
>
> >        Jim, I do not see this problem with the FEBI ones I sell and use.
>  Are you securing the boot to the axle ?  If so, that may be your problem.
>  I find it's much better if the end of the boot on the axle is left to
> float free.  From my <www.frankcondelli.com/sales.htm> webpage: CV boot
> kit, FEBI, 5903, 251 598 201  -  $17.50
> >
> >
> > On 2013-04-22, at 10:48 PM, Automatic digest processor <
> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> >
> >> All this talk about CV joint cleaning and booting made me take a look
> at my
> >> boots today, 9 months after putting four new ones on the car.
> >>
> >> One has a gaping hole.
> >>
> >> This is ridiculous that unacceptable that in 2013 someone can't even
> make a
> >> CV joint boot that will hold up for a year.
> >>
> >> Well, maybe somebody can, but who is it? Tell me and I will start buying
> >> from them.
> >
> >
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Frank Condelli
> > Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> > '87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel
> Trains (Collection for sale)
> > Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the
> Ottawa Valley
> > Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems
> > BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 06 ~ 09, 2013
>

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com