My R. Rear axle boot developed a small (1/4" slit) as a result of a flat tire. It is otherwise in pretty good condition (minimal cracking). I pumped in about 60 Ml of 90 wt grease, and patched the hole with a bicycle inner tube patch.

I don't expect this patch to hold too long, and wonder if anyone has any recommendations as to a better fix for a small hole.

Thanx!


1985 300D

Why do you think it won't hold? Did you clean the rubber with a solvent before applying the patch? If you did, I don't see why it won't hold.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

The original Axles were filed with liquid Oil. If that is the case the Oil likely leaked out.

On the other hand my Cardone Rebuilts were filled with CV Joint Grease. However, you need to pack grease into the joint area and about 1/2 way into the Boot area.
Also the famous axle rebuilder on Col. uses Grease unless you ask for Oil.

You can put another boot on it.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

The boots on my 300D were showing their age. No holes, but rubber had small cracks. If memory serves me, I used 3M 5200 sealant rubbed into the cracks. It is a rubber-like adhesive/sealant and once stuck can't be removed. That was a few years back. I should check the seals out.

Diesel 911. Any EASY way of changing them? Split boots?

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

The oil leaked out. I thought i had cleaned the boot well enough (paint thinner followed by denatured alcohol), but maybe i missed a spot.

Wondering about silicone RTV or similar.

Are split boots available?

Thanks.

If you use a split boot you need grease for sure.
This is some one elses info from my notes:
AXLE Boot Threads
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=2474094#post2474094
AXLE Boot Split Axle Boot
Okay I looked today to refresh my memory I replaced both my inner joints with the speedi-boot 03606 (the reason 03606 is not in their catalog anymore is because it's been replaced by 03608) it is a boot that is bolted together I have never used any that are glued I have had very good results with the bolted ones use them on a variety of cars. What you have to do 1st off is measure the axle diameter on both ends you have to cover and find one that exactly or closely fits. The m.b. inner joint measures 70mm×26mm the 03606 measures 75mm×24mm so you see it was a little big on one end and little small on other I made it fit and both are holding up couple of yrs. now. I used grease inside. Maybe if enough people would write the company dorman they would start making an exact fit for the m.b.s as Im sure they would sell a lot of them with all these old cars on the road yet. I m sure not everyone would not like the repair I made that is your choice it worked for me and saved me a lot in time and money. The main thing with the axle joints is to keep them protected and lubed.

In the pic below you can see how the guy packed the complete can thourghly with grease. The Boot is above on the shaft not yet slide down into position.
In the below thread there is more pics. Notice that the Cardone rebuilts were not stingy with the grease. It appears they filled the Axle Can and the Boot also. In post #4.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/380467-rebooting-pair-axle-shafts-how-much-oil-required-each-can.html

Attached Thumbnails

 

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

cone method, HF sells a black funnel that works, had to cut it just a bit.

heat the boot in water to soften it up, lube up the cone,
do NOT have any grease on your hands and push the boot straight down using your weight and it works fine. If you get any grease on your hands it gets a lot harder cuz of the slippage.

I used the dorman ones

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

Wish there would be a split boot around that actually fits. They didn't send a magic wand along with my 03606 boots. Outer boot is worse than inner. Looking at dozens of boot ads, trying to find a car that has a similar size and is available in split style. If I ever find them, I'll let you know.

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1984 MB 300SD Turbo

The bicycle patch quickly failed, oil dripped out, and random clacking resumed.

Looked @ several U Tube videos on repairing small holes in CV boots , & borrowing from some of them did the following:

First i forced the end of a grease gun into the hole, and pumped in as much grease as it would hold, @ least 40 pumps. Then i manipulated the boot to force as much as possible of the grease into the joint.

Cleaned the whole boot again with paint thinner followed by denatured alcohol.

Applied new bicycle patch.

Wrapped the whole mess with multiple layers of H.F's finest 39 cent electric tape.

Secured the edges of the taped area with H.F.'s finest (free with coupon) cable ties. These i pulled as snugly as possible without visibly deforming the boot.

I'm thinking since it was intermittently clacking, the joint may already be fatally damaged, but if the clacking goes away, this repair will hold at least until i have the time to do the job properly.

I would think that silicone tape (rescue tape) which bonds to itself would be good in that application.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

There are great threads here on how to do it.

I had a joint that clicked on turns till I squirted axle grease in the cracked boot. When I did the job I washed out all the grease from the axle "can" using diesel fuel and then brake cleaner, replace with a bunch of new cv grease using a grease gun. Did the dorman boot using a funnel cone and never hear it click again. Do all four, it gets easier after the first.

It's also a good project cuz you change your differencial gear oil, clean that thing out too.

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

Drove 30 miles, and small amount of grease oozed out. Still clacking some, tho a bit less. I think i will replace the axle with one i got @ a pick 'n' pull.

I've seen suggestions to add more oil, but that would require breaking one of the clamps, and not sure if there is a clamp that does not require a special tool.

I used a regular standard hose clamp on mine when I added oil. It's slightly wider than the OE clamp but seems to be holding fine. Pretty easy to remove the original clamp. Put a narrow screwdriver in the crimped portion, wiggle it a big to loosen the crimp and then unhook the ear which holds the clamp together and unwind.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13