I bought some boots for a Bay window many many years ago that were made in Brazil.    They lasted less than a week.   I discover them torn just before setting off across country.   Needless to say, we left home much later that day.

Steve

On Apr 23, 2013, at 10:19 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) wrote:

> 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