Flexx Boot Axle Repair Using Cone - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Diesel911 · #16 04-29-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

Just an update:

The Flexx boot should not have excess rubber between the straps on the axle. If there is too much rubber "accordioning" you could pinch it between the axle end and the shaft and puncture it as you are installing the axle on the car - which is what happened to me yesterday. The boot material is not heavy enough to withstand getting pinched.

So, now I have to redo that part.

By "accordioning" did you mean the Boot was stretched too tight when installed or that the Boot was collasped too much?

Would not installing the clamp on the small end of the Boot until the Axle is Installed heip prevent it from getting pinched/damaged?

DeliveryValve · #17 04-29-2009, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

....
Would not installing the clamp on the small end of the Boot until the Axle is Installed heip prevent it from getting pinched/damaged?

How would you keep all that oil from coming out?

pawoSD · #18 04-29-2009, 09:46 AM

I guess the key is to be super careful.....I just ordered 8 boots last night.

And a bunch of other parts. We should be ready to do this on both cars by sometime next week!

79Mercy · #19 04-29-2009, 10:08 AM

I also need to do this. My axles are still good but the boots look aged.

How much grease should be put in the boots?

mplafleur · #20 04-29-2009, 12:21 PM

I think they are going to get a fair amount of business from this forum.

bgkast · #21 04-29-2009, 02:43 PM

I'll be interested to see how the gear oil works out. It seems to me like it has the potential to leak out through the clamps too easily leaving the joint dry.

tobybul · #22 04-29-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

By "accordioning" did you mean the Boot was stretched too tight when installed or that the Boot was collasped too much?

Would not installing the clamp on the small end of the Boot until the Axle is Installed heip prevent it from getting pinched/damaged?

Using your terminology, collapsed to much or too much rubber bundling up.

I cut off the 1st section which was too big. The 2nd section is about 1/16" bigger all around and is I what used. The 3rd section would probably work but only if you stretch it around the can.

Anyway, here's where I'm at.

I removed the punctured Flexx boot (actually removed all of them) and tried the Dorman boot instead (from AZ). I like the Dorman better. It is actually a heavier boot and it fits the can better (after removing 2 sections). It also bundles up less.

As to the oil thing, I know I am taking a bit of risk here but my installation is no different than the OE as far as the clamp I am using and how the boot is clamped.

I will be keeping an eye - and ear - on the axles. If there will be any evidence of leakage, I will just pop the axle end of the boots and stuff grease in there and reclamp. The clamps are actually reusable if you remove them carefully.

DeliveryValve · #23 04-29-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

.... I like the Dorman better. ....

I have to agree. I chose the Dorman boots instead of the Flexx boots on my Honda because it was thicker using the pneumatic Flexx (Snapon) gun.

Diesel911 · #24 04-29-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeliveryValve

How would you keep all that oil from coming out?

I guess you could not keep the Oil from coming out; but, I thought most folks were using Grease.

Diesel911 · #25 04-29-2009, 09:32 PM

Has anyone posted the Part Number for the Dorman Boots?

turbobenz · #26 04-29-2009, 09:48 PM

IMO, using gear oil in axle boots is asking for trouble. If it was better than grease, Mercedes and every other car manufacturer would use oil instead of grease. A century of engineering says use grease, not oil.

tobybul · #27 04-29-2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbobenz

IMO, using gear oil in axle boots is asking for trouble. If it was better than grease, Mercedes and every other car manufacturer would use oil instead of grease. A century of engineering says use grease, not oil.

Who said the OE lubricant was grease? The OE lubricant is gear oil. Or at least thats what was in my OE axle.

DeliveryValve · #28 04-29-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

Has anyone posted the Part Number for the Dorman Boots?

Dorman 614 001 Universal Boot for both inner and outer.

DeliveryValve · #29 04-29-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

Who said the OE lubricant was grease? The OE lubricant is gear oil. Or at least thats what was in my OE axle.

Oil is OE, not Grease.

Brian Carlton · #30 04-29-2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbobenz

IMO, using gear oil in axle boots is asking for trouble. If it was better than grease, Mercedes and every other car manufacturer would use oil instead of grease. A century of engineering says use grease, not oil.

I tend to believe that M/B had some good reasons for using oil. The oil, if the boots are filled completely, will always be on the bearing surfaces. The grease will be flung to the outside of the boot, leaving the bearing surfaces without the desired lubrication, unless the boot is completely packed.

The longevity of these axles with the use of oil should give one pause before grease is selected for a replacement lube.