RE torn boots: my originals lasted twenty years or so on two vans. Then, I
started going through them like cheap whisky, getting about 8 to 10 months
out of a set before splitting. These were the EMPI brand I was buying
locally.. I thought it might be the grease. I ended up trying the ones Bus
Depot sells, and that set has been on there for over four years now with
now problem. I just inspected them a week or so ago and they are fine.

Jim

On Fri, Apr 20, 2018 at 2:51 PM Vincent Dow <ianvincentdow@gmail.com> wrote:

> Stuart, when you mentioned black hi-pressure grease for the cv axles ( in
> response to my mentioning green grease) it got me thinking.
>
> The grease that was on these cv axles when they were bolted on 2years ago
> was GREEN.
>
> Maybe it’s the wrong stuff? Perhaps weakened the rubber of the boots 👢 .
> It’s just a thought. But how else do you explain THREE cv boots failing
> within two years of install?
>
> Enquiring minds want to know.
> Best, vinnie
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 15, 2018 at 1:43 PM Vincent Dow <ianvincentdow@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > On Sat, Apr 14, 2018 at 12:43 PM <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Vinnie,
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> You need black grease, the stuff for high pressure loads  You can find
> it
> >> at most parts stores, but it’s really not going to make much difference.
> >> Get new boots from Christopher at T3 Technique, he finds the best
> quality,
> >> and as you know, it varies.  Some boots are such poor quality that will
> >> tear in short order.
> >>
> http://t3technique.com/suspension-and-drivetrain/drivetrain-parts/cv-joints,-boots,-etc/
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> If you are not getting pedal pulsing on braking your rotors aren’t
> warped.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Stuart
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> *From:* Vincent Dow <ianvincentdow@gmail.com>
> >> *Sent:* Saturday, April 14, 2018 9:47 AM
> >> *To:* Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
> >> *Cc:* vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> >> *Subject:* Re: Hot brakes!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I'm definitely getting the brakes looked at when we get to montreal.
> >>
> >> I usually do engine brake - maybe I wasn't as diligent about it on this
> >> road. the CA-23 is really steep and windy on the southern side towards
> >> Malibu. I think it's one of the longest, steepest roads I've ever taken
> in
> >> the van.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I made it down the eastern slope of the rockies yesterday (at Wolf Creek
> >> Pass) I was very diligent about engine braking. I thought more and more
> >> about the venation brake pads, and how darn small they are! Not a lot of
> >> surface there considering the weight of the rig.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Bigger issue now is my THREE torn C.V. boots... ugh. I just discovered
> >> them the day before yesterday. There's not much i can do out here in
> >> colorado. We would have to go up to Denver or Boulder and take the van
> into
> >> a shop there. There is one guy who has CV boots. I'm bummed that they
> are
> >> torn - they were only two years old.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I made the decision to continue driving towards Montreal, and deal with
> >> the boots there. I can see there is still grease on the C.V. joints -
> and I
> >> bought a grease gun and some green-stuff so i can keep squirting it in
> >> there - it sucks, but better than driving them dry. They still sound
> okay.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Tough trip this one is. The weather has been awful. Non-stop howling
> >> wind, hundreds of attacking tumbleweed!!! What  difference time of year
> >> makes for these journeys.
> >>
> >> (from the Red Lion Inn, La Junta Colorado)
> >>
> >> Best,
> >>
> >> Vinnie
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, Apr 14, 2018 at 10:41 AM, <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Yes, it can happen on steep grades. Next time downshift and use some
> >> engine braking, and maybe pull over for a few minutes if it's a long
> grade.
> >> You'll know if your rotors warped from the pedal pulsing when you brake.
> >> Probably didn't warp.
> >>
> >> Stuart
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
> >> Vincent Dow
> >> Sent: Monday, April 9, 2018 9:14 AM
> >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >> Subject: Hot brakes!
> >>
> >> Howdy y’all,
> >> I was coming down a steep, windy road in Malibu last night, and st the
> >> bottom I felt that my brakes had lost done if their grabbing power.
> >> At the stop sign at the bottom  oF the hill I got out to have a look and
> >> my brakes were smoking + very strong smell. Like a truck cooking it’s
> >> brakes.
> >>
> >> My pads look good, lots of material left .
> >> Anyone ever experience this before in a vanagon?
> >> Do you think I’ve done any damage?
> >> Or is it normal for mountain highway downhill?
> >> Best ,
> >> Vinnie
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
>