Flexx Boot Axle Repair Using Cone - Page 5 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #61 06-07-2009, 10:35 PM

Nice job...

I know u r done but in answer to your question about quantity of oil, you should have noticed the amount of oil inside the can b4 you poured it out. The can is NOT filled with oil. Only up to the level I described which came to 1/2 pint.

I think overfilling it may not be good.

tobybul · #62 06-07-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Rancourt

- what tool?
- can the flexx boot clamps be crimped (or whatever is done to make them stay) without a special tool?
- anybody in New York City, Western Mass, Western Connecticut, or Albany have a tool I can use?
- is using zip ties as bad an idea as it sounds?
- is using a large worm-drive hose clamp as bad an idea as it sounds?

- The tool which Astoria also sells is similar to the one AZ sells. The AZ tool looks beefier.
- It may be possible to crimp it without the tool but not effectively IMO.
- I'm in Michigan. The tool is only $15 in AZ
- If u r referring to the plastic zip ties, I would not do it.
- The hose clamp may work as long as it does not loosen up.

79Mercy · #63 06-07-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

Nice job...

I know u r done but in answer to your question about quantity of oil, you should have noticed the amount of oil inside the can b4 you poured it out. The can is NOT filled with oil. Only up to the level I described which came to 1/2 pint.

I think overfilling it may not be good.

I filled up each can until it was about an inch from overflowing.

The oil that was removed was ATF.

Ryan Z · #64 06-08-2009, 12:30 PM

Can you get the Astoria style clamps at Auto Zone. I take it the pliers is available there.
Also, is the lubrication of choice Valvoline synthetic ?

---------------------
1984 MB 300SD Turbo

79Mercy · #65 06-08-2009, 01:21 PM

I got the clamps at napa, the clamps that come from autozne suck.

Get the clamps that have the holes in them and 3 hooks.

I have the pliers, let me know and you can borrow them.

tobybul · #66 06-09-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan Z

Can you get the Astoria style clamps at Auto Zone. I take it the pliers is available there.
Also, is the lubrication of choice Valvoline synthetic ?

---------------------
1984 MB 300SD Turbo

NAPA sells the clamp similar to the OE and Astoria. They come 2 sizes - large n small. AZ sells the pliers for these clamps but not the clamps. The clamps that come with the DOrman boots are not MB OE type. They are the ones you pull back and IMO may not get on tite.

The lubrication appeared to be gear oil like 80w90 wt. Its up to you if you use syn or dino. The condition of the old oil that came out of my axles were fairly good actually. And am sure they were not syn.

Mike Rancourt · #67 06-12-2009, 07:22 PM

So, I am probably going to ask my father to help shove the boot on (since I'll be using his garage), and I bet he'll have an objection to soaking the boot in water. I'm sure he'll think getting moisture inside the can is bad - he's just really cautious about stuff, and it seems like water doesn't belong in there.
So, how can I assure him that it's okay? Why isn't it bad?
OR:
Why use water to warm? Why not other methods like a heat gun/hair drier? I bet because those things could dry out the rubber, which isn't a good idea before stretching.

tobybul · #68 06-12-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Rancourt

So, I am probably going to ask my father to help shove the boot on (since I'll be using his garage), and I bet he'll have an objection to soaking the boot in water. I'm sure he'll think getting moisture inside the can is bad - he's just really cautious about stuff, and it seems like water doesn't belong in there.
So, how can I assure him that it's okay? Why isn't it bad?
OR:
Why use water to warm? Why not other methods like a heat gun/hair drier? I bet because those things could dry out the rubber, which isn't a good idea before stretching.

Remember, the boot is inside out. After soaking the boot and placing it on the cone, there is plenty of opportunity to dab it dry with a cloth or paper towel. Also, way b4 you fasten the boot in-place to the can you have plenty of opportunity to dry it.

You are not soaking the can/axle. Just the boot.

79Mercy · #69 06-12-2009, 09:39 PM

I don't think heatin ghte boot does much good, I couldn't tell any difference from it being heated. I just slid them on without heat.

pawoSD · #70 06-12-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79Mercy

I don't think heatin ghte boot does much good, I couldn't tell any difference from it being heated. I just slid them on without heat.

It does help a little, at the very least it will soften the rubber slightly and prevent the possibility of tearing.

I just completed the job today on my 300SD....it was not all that bad, its a close fit getting the axles in and out though, I had to shove the differential up as high as it would go, as well as remove the rear brake calipers.

I put 8oz of the DuraBlend 80w90 gear oil in my boots. Seems to be running nice and quiet/smooth.

Mike Rancourt · #71 06-22-2009, 06:44 AM

I did the job (FB3000) with my father on Saturday. It took a little over an hour, start to finish, including time to trim the lip off the funnel, etc... I did use a heat gun to warm the boot, and it worked fine. We had trouble pulling down the boot while holding the axle since we didn't have a vise (se we couldn't used a fifth hand), but it was fine.

One thing that surprised me when we got the axle out is that the old boot hadn't torn like I thought. Instead, the clamp had just slipped off the lip on the can (the boot did look cracked, though). On this particular axle, which is an annular reman put on two years ago, the lip is very narrow. In other words, there is a groove that the clamp is supposed to sit in, but it's too narrow for the kinds of clamps I've seen. It was also much more narrow than the clamping region on the boot, itself. I understand that it's normal to be a little more narrow, but this was about half the width.

I'll have to keep an eye on this boot and hope for the best. If the clamp slips off, I'll probably have to do it with zip ties (which are just about the right width to fit into the aforementioned groove on the can), at least temporarily.

Further, I did buy the crimpers, but I got them used on Ebay. I paid almost as much as one would pay for a new pair, but I had the satisfaction of not directly contributing to demand for a new product from a first world company using third world labor. I found the crimping fun. I mean, I really liked it. It was so satisfying to squeeze that little thing and watch the band tighten.

My father was concerned about how the boot looked stretched out when we first got it clamped in the right spots, but once I put it on the car, it looked a little better, just as others on the forum have suggested and shown.

In all, I am grateful for this thread (and the dozens of others that have helped me learn to do seemingly scary things to keep my car strong). It's also helped me bond with my father a few times (I was visiting for father's day this time, and it was nice to spend some time on our backs looking at my axle). Thanks.

Mike

tobybul · #72 08-10-2009, 02:52 PM

Great job, Mike.

C Holmes · #73 05-24-2010, 07:24 AM

Where can I buy a replacement boot? The Astoria site only has a gun style that I assume I would have to spend 3-400 on the gun to do 1 boot. Where can I get the cone style or even the 2 piece kind?

whunter · #74 05-24-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Holmes

Where can I buy a replacement boot? The Astoria site only has a gun style that I assume I would have to spend 3-400 on the gun to do 1 boot. Where can I get the cone style or even the 2 piece kind?

Use the Astoria boot:
* They are cheaper.
* They use current rubber chemical engineering technology = not antique.
* They work with an installation cone or flexx gun.

If you are only replacing a couple of boots, there is a cheaper alternative to the FLEXX gun.

Dorman 614-030 HELP! Universal Fit CV Boot Air Tool
http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-614-030-HELP-Universal-Boot/dp/B000CIV4KA

vstech · #75 05-24-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

Use the Astoria boot:
* They are cheaper.
* They use current rubber chemical engineering technology = not antique.
* They work with an installation cone or flexx gun.

If you are only replacing a couple of boots, there is a cheaper alternative to the FLEXX gun.

Dorman 614-030 HELP! Universal Fit CV Boot Air Tool
http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-614-030-HELP-Universal-Boot/dp/B000CIV4KA

will the dorman tool fit over the MB axles? it doesnot look like there is room for the axle to fit in...