Any tricks to replacing Axle boot without special tool? 85 300TD w123
 

Im using my small window of time to attempt a rear bearing replacement. I amanged to get the tools I need for the bearings but I also need to change the axle boot. Would this not be a perfect time to replace it when the hubs are off and access is easy?

I just dont know if theres a way to strap them on without some special tool. It this possible? Its an "EMPRI C.V. boot kit" It came with the boot, a pack of grease and two metal clamps that have several holes that a small hook-like piece fits into slots almost like a hose clamp, but instead of adjusting with a screwdriver you have to squeeze the clamp in order for the hook to reach the desired hole.

Any tools that can do the job well? Otherwise are there easy to come-by clamps that can do the job as well?

Thanks
Michael

There is a special tool to clamp the clamps. It is fairly expensive. No magic work-arounds. There are also boots that are installed with a special "gun." also expensive. Another option is to replace the axle (half-shaft) with a rebuilt one, which will come with new boots.

I think the gun is available for rent from forum members.

Your city is quite large. Check around for anyplace that owns the installer tool. Then get them to change the boot if their labour quote makes sense. I can and do improvise a lot of things. This though would give me second thoughts. If you had an actual axel rebuilder in town somewhere would be ideal. They would have to have a tool.

Other than that just geting a used axel with good looking boots from a auto wrecker may be a good option. Just flush out the joints and relube them before installing is good preventative practice. In Canada the cooler overall temperatures possibly prolong the lifetime serviceability of those boots. That makes the auto salvage yard option even better than south of us.

I am in favour of this approach over the cheapy new chinese axles even if the cost where the same. Quality original new axle assemblies are pricy. True rebuilts only so/so now if available at all.

Getting it through the border and back again might be more of a problem than it is worth. Other than that an excellent suggestion. Except you have to experience the return Canadian postal rates on something like that to believe them.

One important factor that in my opinion made the American system go at one time was your cheap postal rates that are slowly being removed. Your postal system should have been and probably was the envy of the world. It is still pretty good compared to ours ratewise but slipping fast. I viualise this as a country shooting itself in the foot.

most hardware stores have a nipper blunt nose wire cutter that will work fine for pinching the rings. but you do not crimp the ring to align the holes with the tab, you wrap the ring around the boot, and hook the tab into a hole as tight as you can, THEN crimp the ring to hold it firmly onto the boot!

If you have the time look for astoria5000 they sell the flexx boot. Dorman universal boots also stretch over the half shafts.

You don't absolutely need the special tool. Go find yourself a nice long transmission fluid funnel and use that to guide the boot over. I bought the one astoria sold and it worked wonders.

I did this with the axles completely out of the car:
Get a transmission funnel, some grease, and an axle boot kit. Cut the funnel just a bit wider than the housing, grease it up good except for the end where you need to grab the boot to pull/push and stretch it over the funnel and on to the axle. I found that if you can do it all in one motion it slides on a lot easier. Be prepared to lean in to it because its a pretty significant stretch; but it works!

I think I got a tool at Harbor Freight to tighten the metal straps holding the boot in place.

Also, on the outside boot, you have to turn it inside out before you stretch it on. Once its on you turn it right side out and it will be facing the right direction.

There are more detailed threads on this procedure in the archives.

must be lots of trails crossing over from Maine to Quebec, New Brunswick, I cant see how they could police that place much.

They use Drones on the border...
and you sneaking through the woods crossing the International Border with two metal axle shafts..which look like weapons..
PPHHHHFFFFFTTTTTT.... you are gone.

Why th hell dont they use em tween del rio and Yuma:mad:
gotta protect us from those dam quebec'ers, they might just infiltrate with dangerous contraban frenchfries with curds n gravy!

" TOO RICH " a target environment....they would be on the ground all the time ' restocking '....

Try this:

www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/251168-flexx-boot-axle-repair-using-cone.html[/URL]

Answer
 

To much pain, I prefer the Flex or similar gun..

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/275572-has-anyone-used-doorman-uni-fit-cv-boot-air-tool.html




.

I use the 3001 boots, the 3000 is too thin. I tear it to often during install.

You should post a pic of the exact Boot kit you are speaking of. The type of Boot you have determines the method you need to follow to install it.

If the Kit is made with a Sock Mercedes type Boot the Boot Material is to thick to be stretched over "Cans". If you intend on using that type of Boot you would need to follow the actual Mercedes Factory Repair Instructions that require the use of a Hydraulic press and other tools to take apart the stock Axle (that needs to be removed from the Differential).

This is the closet link I have seen to following the Factory Repair Method
AXLE Boot Link cutting the CANS
http://boostnbenz.1baddsm.com/DIY/CVboots/

Heres the type of boot I have. Just looking again and I realize I got an inner replacement boot kit, and what I need is an outer. It looks like its twice the price though. I guess they arent interchangeable eh?

I realised I ordered the wrong boot kit. I needed one for the outer axle (left side) and I ordered an inner one. Below is the kit from FEBI I was thinking if ordering. It looks to me like it has sort of hose clamps to tighten the boot on. Has anyone used these?

It sounds like its no piece of cake getting them on...

If you're using the cone method then put some oil (the oil that you will be filling them with) on the cone. Then take a deep breath and push that sucker on.

these boots WILL NOT INSTALL WITH EITHER A FUNNEL TOOL OR A STRETCH TOOL!!!
these boots need to have the cans removed and new cans replaced after the press has reassembled the spiders...
you need astoria flexx boots or dorman flex boots... astoria 3001 boots are perfect for inner or outer.

Advanced Auto, autozone etc sell the doorman air powered gun... some people buy the gun, use it and return it.... dont ask me how i know but i will say that the tool works great:)

*i dont want a lecture on ethics, i was desperate and funds were short and i had to get it back on the road*

Axle boot-can someone tell me what I need to do?
 

Hey there,

I've been reading all these threads-thanks.

Can anyone tell if I really need to replace this boot or just get it back under the clamp? Can I do it without removing the axle?

A local shop quoted $700 to do the job, so I'm trying to find other options. Another shop said I had to replace the whole axle.

Thanks
Todd

After you have used the Asatoria tool, you will not want to try anything else, it can be used in multiple applications besides the boots.

Grease your boots and keep them warm and you will be extremely please with the resulkts and the minimal effort required toi accomplish a quality job.

yup, the boot has failed. all your oil is gone. you will at a minimum need to remove the boot, clean out the joint, and replace the boot.
I'd also recommend doing ALL boots, on both axles, and swapping side to side the axles.
should cost you about 100 in boots, and another 30 in oil, then rental on the boot gun. assuming you have air compressor to run the gun.
the stretch method is possible, but not fun.
get the astoria 3001 boots. they fit PERFECTLY! and are MUCH easier to install.

or you could buy ready made booted axles from me.

Oh, when I was down at vstech's I helped him (rather minimally) to reboot a few axles using the tool. The first boot he put on I just stood there and said "that's just not possible... you just couldn't have done it that quickly.... " So I know just how easy it is.

The problem is that it's just not feasible for me. I have no compressor, no room for a compressor and no money for a tool or compressor. I only have two cars that will ever need to be done and hopefully not for awhile now. So the cone works quite well for me and a good amount of people doing it themselves.