Upon relieving my 45 year-old axles of their original boots, I discovered a steel ring that fits inside the last fold of each boot where it clamps to the axle. The new original style, thick boots don't come with this ring. I'm wondering if these rings should be placed in the new boots. I'd like to hear from those who have replaced their boots the proper way, rather than the goofy way of a pneumatic spreader or plastic tube to mount inferior boots.

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Don't Chrome them; polish them

there's a factory tool used for crimping bands onto the boots-700 usd back in the day. i always use axles for torn boots on any benz.