Astoria Flexx Boots

[ImBroke]

Did anyone else see Two Guys Garage Sunday?
They had this thing made by Astoria, called the flex boot gun.
This thing has like prongs that spread the boot open, slide the axle in, and release.
They made it look quite easy, and with the gun, it seemed to be so.
I guess the only drawback is that you have to use their boots, which come in a variety of sizes.
I suppose because their boots stretch more than others.
Here's the link, if anyone's interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKvZXgxQc2Q

http://www.astoria2000.com/main.html

http://www.astoria2000.com/fbspoint.html


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[Diesel Giant]

I just looked at the web link. That is cool! But the air gun to do it is $263!

[ImBroke]

I've done a little thinking of how many boots I've done in the last few years, and it's been about 8 axles and 6 p/s racks. The time savings (especially with that Diablo of a car Diamante) spent running back and forth to the parts store/dealer is almost worth it. After reading someone's story about doing their axle boots on the 300D, I'm thinking the savings of skinned knuckles and thrown parts might just be enough to go over the top. Of course, there's the Tool Rental Program.

[PerkHouse]

Imbroke,
Did you ever buy the Astoria gun? Would you be willing to rent it out for a nominal fee (with full deposit, of course)?

I'm in High Point (near Greensboro), NC.

[warmblood58]

If ten interested people sent me 20 bucks, I would catch the balance and buy the gun and we could use it in the tool rental program. those that contributed the 20.00 bucks would have lifetime free rental priviledges. I saw the gun and would love to change out my boots that way. Thanks

James

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by warmblood58

If ten interested people sent me 20 bucks, I would catch the balance and buy the gun and we could use it in the tool rental program. those that contributed the 20.00 bucks would have lifetime free rental priviledges. I saw the gun and would love to change out my boots that way. Thanks

James

That's an excellent idea. But, check with DieselGiant. He may already have the gun available. He's done the job with the gun. I'm not sure if he owns it or just borrowed it.

I'm in on the $20. if we can get enough people.

[Jeremy5848]

I think the gun is a great idea. The boots are thinner, so they would probably last only ten years instead of twenty. The savings is worth it! Getting the gun and boots in a timely fashion (once you discover that your boots have ripped) is another matter.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

I think the gun is a great idea. The boots are thinner, so they would probably last only ten years instead of twenty. The savings is worth it! Getting the gun and boots in a timely fashion (once you discover that your boots have ripped) is another matter.

You need to be proactive and change the boost before they rip and dump all the oil. Otherwise it's a poor solution.

[Hit Man X]

Well how does one (say me ) reattach the boot to the CV after installed? Some sorts of clamp I assume...

[pawoSD]

I'm horrified just looking at the whole assembly under there....knowing I'd most likely not be able to pull off a removal/boot-replace/install.

[hdexpert]

I researched the gun a few months ago. Looks like a great idea, just had a hard time swallowing the purchase price!!! I'm in for $20 if that helps the cause!!!

[PerkHouse]

Hitman, yes you can use MB clamps or even a "hose clamp" type boot clamp. I know... I know... a lot of people don't like those type because the "excessive" mass might cause a significant imbalance, but my 300DT has them on both ends of both boots on the left axle and I couldn't detect any imbalance.

Paw, you don't actually disassemble the cv joint. That's the beauty of it; you just stretch the boot out with the gun and slip it over the end. Install some new grease and clamps and you're back in business.

Brian, I emailed DieselGiant a day or two ago to see if I could rent his, but he just hasn't replied yet. (Probably too busy like the rest of us.)

If he doesn't want to rent his, count me in for $20 too!

[PerkHouse]

Here's one for $235 and FREE shipping:
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&cp=35&gs_id=g&xhr=t&q=Astoria+2000+FB5000+Rapid+Flexx+Gun&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&site=&source=hp&oq=Astoria+2000+FB5000+Rapid+Flexx+Gun&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=7f8b389cb9285166&biw=1024&bih=658

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by PerkHouse

Paw, you don't actually disassemble the cv joint. That's the beauty of it; you just stretch the boot out with the gun and slip it over the end. Install some new grease and clamps and you're back in business.

We need to sort out the "new grease" deal. The original axles are filled with oil. I would think it would be preferable to keep the same condition as the stock axle.

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by PerkHouse

Hitman, yes you can use MB clamps or even a "hose clamp" type boot clamp. I know... I know... a lot of people don't like those type because the "excessive" mass might cause a significant imbalance, but my 300DT has them on both ends of both boots on the left axle and I couldn't detect any imbalance.

Paw, you don't actually disassemble the cv joint. That's the beauty of it; you just stretch the boot out with the gun and slip it over the end. Install some new grease and clamps and you're back in business.

Brian, I emailed DieselGiant a day or two ago to see if I could rent his, but he just hasn't replied yet. (Probably too busy like the rest of us.)

If he doesn't want to rent his, count me in for $20 too!

But you have to pull the CV axels out of the differential and drive axle, how else do you "slip the boot over the end"?