Need to Replace All Boots - Which Ones?
 

hey all, i'm looking at replacing all of my boots, two are leaking and the other two are cracked and i figured i'd just get them taken care of too. my question is, which ones do i get?

http://www.allpartsexpress.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=&yearid=1983%40%401983&makeid=MERCEDES+BENZ%40%40MERCEDES+BENZ&engineid=1193778% 40%40300DT++%2F+L5-2998cc+3.0L+DIESEL+FI++Turbo%40%40300DT&keyword=boot&subcatid=Rear+C.V.+Joint+Boot+Kit@@Rear+C.V.+Jo int+Boot+Kit%2FRear+Drive&mode=PA

obviously i need to get two of the rear outer ones by GKN/Loebro to start with. but then, which two do i need for the inner? there seems to be two kinds by Febi. anyone know which one i'm supposed to get? everything on the car is original under there. thanks!

The answer is probably none of the above, unless you have the tools and intention of following the drill in the FSM. What most of us have been doing is using either the Astoria Flex boot or the Dorman boot and not messing with the can.

Rick

i was planning on taking the parts necessary for the job to my indy.

could you be more specific about what you use and why? i was under the impression that i would buy the boots, take them to my indy's shop, and it would go something like the how to on the diesel giant webpage.

am i wrong?

can you provide links to the boots you would recommend? i did a quick google search for the astoria but it didn't come with any of the clamps or grease i see in the pics on allpartsexpress. why not?

Need to dig a little more- there are lots of adventures.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/264160-re-boot-axle-adventures.html?highlight=axle

Before you buy anything, see how your indy wants to do it. The parts listed on allparts express and diesel giant are the cut-the-can deal. Dieselgiant's DIY is the Astoria or Dorman aftermarket boot. If you (or your indy) wants to fork over $150 for the gun, it's easy as pie. If you want to have fun with a funnel and some Pledge, not so much.

Rick

Yes, ask the mechanic before you buy anything. Not everyone is equipped to replace boots and his way may not work for the boots you have bought. Although it will probably cost more, you might just take the axles to the mechanic and tell him to replace the boots. Let him worry about which ones to get.

Tis the season. To have damaged boots!

Do what I did Adam :p duct tape 'em!

GKN/Loebro are factory type of boots and require a different procedure than on diesel giant's webpage with the aftermarket universal type boots.

The factory boots require one to dissemble the actual joint to the the boot on.
http://boostnbenz.1baddsm.com/DIY/CVboots/


.

done and done! duct and gorilla taped as we speak.

thanks for the help guys, i guess i'll talk to my indy, probably go with the universal boots.

Adam,

I'm just going to buy rebuilt axles from NAPA. It's cheaper at 140$ and the labor is less.

Definitely consider that route of sending them to CVJ for rebuilding.

It`s great to buy the parts cheap, and then take them to the mechanic to install.

Mechanics/shop owners do not like this, as they make their money not only on labor, but the mark up of parts.
They may even refuse to install your parts.

If the part fails, it is on you, not the mechanic.

Charlie