Anyone ordered from them? Which size? Definitely interested. Worst mistake I made was taking the original boots off my axles because they were cracked. Five years later the non OEM replacements are split completely. If these things only lasted a year, I'd be happy!

What make of non-OEM boots split on your car? We should try and keep track of what works and what doesn't work.

- original OE boots lasted about 30 years
- one report was that whatever Cardon used, started to crack after 5 years.
- another report that Dorman stretch boots split during installation
- Other Dormans, started to crack after about 5 years.

Mostly from memory. Please correct if wrong and add more experience if you have it.

I like the idea of those Italian slit boots. Allows those who may balk at axle removal to get the car back on the road. Maybe good at least as a spare. We can make critical o-rings by joining ends with a type of crazy glue. Mind you, these boots flex a lot, so it would be a tough application for the glue.

You would think there would be a better way of covering CV joints!

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Hey now, this Italian split boot option is truly "no disassembly required".
Good video ! Thanks. Will these Italian split boots work on both annular and homo- axles? Vid seems to show the annular type..

With the other boots, using the cone or air compressor, it seems like the axle shaft has to be removed from the car first.

I have seen a vid or two in the past using the cone and air compressor tool but the axles were off the car completely. That is, disassembly.

Just taking notes since my boots are still OK, but no doubt in the future I may have to deal with this, better said, my indie mechanic !

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Graham, this is a good idea to consolidate axle shaft info into this thread..

Back in the early days of this forum, Benzmac said that the wear of the boots happens inside and outside.

Although I trust what he said, I posit this question.

What benefit would it make to paint over the used but uncracked boots with a 100% silicone paint like GACO silicone roof paint? ( I have the oil based gallon units).

https://gaco.com/product-details/gacoroof-100-silicone-roof-coating/

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

My current boots are coated with 3M 5200. This is a verytenacous product that cures into a flexible rubber like product. It is a polyurethane, I believe. Most of what I repaired is still good after 3 years. But it looks like the inner deep flute near the can has cracked a bit more.

No leaks, but I bought new GSP axles from Rock. Not happy so far - see my other thread. I think they sent me someone else's return.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Hey Graham, that elastomeric action is what allows for stretching.
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Marine-Adhesive-Sealant-5200/?N=5002385+3293241623&rt=rud

Can you clarify the condition of your boots at the time of 3M 5200 coating?
Were they just kind of dry externally but not cracked etc.?

BTW I just recalled that my indie mechanic replaced the axle shafts of a W123 last year and he bought the new axles from some outfit.
The flange that goes into the differential had a proud lip that did not allow seating. He had to grind it down so the flange was flat. Then it worked. But that may have been a proprietery bug from that manufacturer. They were not rebuild MBZ axle shafts.
No idea whether the different W123 models had different axle shaft part numbers...

Just found and read your referenced thread. I added this reference

https://www (DOT) ***************/pn/1233500410 edited for the sake of pelican parts.

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

My boots had typical cracking at top and bottom of the bellows flutes. I first thoroughly cleaned the boots with water, simple green & acetone. Then wire brushed with fine brush. Filled the cracks by turning until they opened. Once filled, painted on a thin coat while rotating axle. Let it set a bit, then did that again several times. Turned wheel every hour or so to prevent sagging. A quick-dry version of the 3M product would have been better. If I had had the axles out, I think they would still be good because the method essentially builds a new thin layer of rubber using the old bellows as the form.

The axles I bought have a very minor radius where the spacer would fit. I will try a spare spacer on them, but it is so little I think spacers will seat properly.

My biggest concern, is that the inner boot clamp is missing on the GSP axle I received. Will check second one if they deliver it tomorrow.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Good update, so they had {surface} "cracking" but obviously not split all the way through. Yep?

I edited a link to some axle shafts (annular type) sold by another outfit. opinions?

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

No - I just went with annular GSP from R-A as best priced. All are Chinese and I don't think Consumer Reports have reviewed them yet

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Got in my logs. Truktec boots on inner are both split and slinging grease after 3 years and 20,000 miles. Febi on outer ends are okay.

Bottom line, stick to OE then?

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Why I will never do business with "DieselKraut" again

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-used-parts-sale-wanted/378935-why-i-will-never-do-business-dieselkraut-again.html

Assuming you are speaking from experience, could you post a step by step DIY on how you fellows in UK do this on a W123?

I would love to use OE boots if I knew how to install them.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

REALLY cheap cV BOOTS!

It would be interesting to try these boots. If I was a bit younger and didn't mind swapping axles, I might! Who knows iif Astorias are any better than these?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000831170838.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2ace44e2kvvxwa&algo_pvid=07f7b6ff-cdb8-45c9-8de9-311827f6fa5c&algo_expid=07f7b6ff-cdb8-45c9-8de9-311827f6fa5c-0&btsid=0be3764315947526061081658e7c06&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

US$4.50 each including shipping!

They also sell them with a funnel for US$25/set incl shipping:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000989774333.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.2ace44e2kvvxwa&algo_pvid=07f7b6ff-cdb8-45c9-8de9-311827f6fa5c&algo_expid=07f7b6ff-cdb8-45c9-8de9-311827f6fa5c-12&btsid=0be3764315947526061081658e7c06&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

I used the DORMAN 614001's to do all mine, like 8 years ago and their still fine.



They were not easy to slip on though; hot water, good grip, and put the axle vertical in a vice on the floor so I could push straight down.
The cheapest you can get the dorman one now is like 14bucks for ONE, so that sucks.



But, you know china sends that stuff knowing you'll never return it.

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1985 300TD 1981 Scirocco 1.6D conv 1986 Golf 1.6D 2003 Golf TDI

Earlier in this thread, ykobayashi relates his sad experiences with Dorman boots. Both DORMAN 614001 and 614002. He used an expander that repeatedly split the boots! Then he gave up and went to Astoria.

Perhaps the cones are a more gentle way to install.

Those Dormans arecloser to US$20 at some stores and more like $30 here in Canada. Kind of expensive if they split on installation.

Re China - all the cheap replacement axles are from China. The GSP annulars I have look very well made, and the boots are substantial. I checked with a guy in Scotland, and he has had no problems since installing in 2018.

I want to reboot my present axles just in case my luck is not as good! Those China kits may buy me some time. But a pain to have to switch back to homokinetics.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5