Dust boots for pivots

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Grasshopper
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Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by Grasshopper » August 5th, 2019, 6:03 am

Hi all,

While looking under my A2 the other day, I noted that the rubber dust cover on my "socket assembly" (the lower steering pivot on the axle) have been compromised, as have many of the steering joint dust covers. The joints all seem in good condition, having been NOS items during restoration. The failure seems to be ageing of the material. My question is are these items available separately, or are there commercially available items I can use to replace the dust covers with? All joints appear to be in good condition with no rust or play in them, and it would be a shame to have to replace all the joints just for the sake of the boots which would likely just be at risk of failing again. The vehicle has probably done less than 1000 miles in 10 years.

Thanks in advance,

Vince (UK)

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svramselaar
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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by svramselaar » August 5th, 2019, 8:11 am

hi

i use the yellow boots :D from https://polyboots.com/
for steering - lower and upper bal joint
for the size you must look at it
in europa it is not nessesery they have the steel ring on it

george

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by Grasshopper » August 5th, 2019, 8:22 am

Thank you George, this will help greatly.

Vince

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by Challenger2 » August 7th, 2019, 2:14 pm

Hi Vince,
I have had the same problem with a set of recently fitted upper steering ball joints. They were purchased from a UK supplier (who also stocks parts for old and current Jeeps) which I have used before and found to be helpful and good with combined shipping etc. They were not NOS but seemed to be new-made items - matt grey casting with a brass effect ring and plated hardware (which I have seen other European and some US dealers stock) perhaps from China/Taiwan? I had to grind down the height of the casting 'foot' and drill out the holes so they aligned with the swing arm to fit.

They were purchased in April 2018 and fitted in September 2018. The rubber 'boots' have now badly cracked! The UK supplier is on the case citing that perhaps the rubber was from a bad batch? He is looking for replacements and I will chase him up as it is about a month since I contacted him.
It is a shame as they were a good price.

The lower ball joints are the ones that came with the Mutt, a 1973 A2, and look to be NOS and are in good shape. I have also investigated the separate boots as MOT testers are hot on broken or uncrimped ones - BUT now we do not need an MOT in the UK, perhaps anything goes? If you need to, PM me.
Challenger 2 in the UK

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by Grasshopper » August 9th, 2019, 5:16 am

Thanks for the info Challenger 2. I'd like to keep my A2 MOT worthy (after all, although they are test exempt we are obliged to keep them road legal and safe) an if I go down the "new boot" route then stainless crimps seem readily available on line. Its going to have to wait until winter though as I'm halfway through re-commissioning a CVRT we've now had for 20(!) years. My A2 only has one more show to attend this year, which for logistical reasons it is being transported to.

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by 12Bravo » August 11th, 2019, 1:22 am

I'm working with Atanas with Polyboots to make new replacement boots for the 151 . Will be sending him a ball joint first of the week so he can start production of new boots with a stainless metal ring and he also has produced a tool for setting the new boot on the joint. I had the same problem ,boots were cracked and re placed joints with NOS and boots went to crap in a month. I have to have good boots for I don't know where Miller will take me.

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by svramselaar » August 11th, 2019, 4:53 am

hi

you are all inventing the wheel again

polyboots has free shipping https://polyboots.com/

if you want to know the size i must look at it at my shop

george

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by 12Bravo » August 11th, 2019, 6:44 am

What he has is 22-44-32-2 that's in millimeters and is loose fitting at the top and allows water in when washing the vehicle or out trail running.
He has none with the metal crimp ring that size, That is why he requested I send him a joint so he can make the correct boot for the joint. I sent him an old boot for proper fit and Quote it has a metal ring of 43.6 mm we do not have such model but I can produce it . I guess he is going to re invent the wheel.

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by Grasshopper » August 12th, 2019, 6:36 am

12 Bravo, please let us know when this item has been produced and I will order them. My A2 only has one more show to attend but would be nice to get this issue sorted after the show season.

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by 12Bravo » August 13th, 2019, 8:36 am

Will try to get to post office by Thursday ,he will inform me when it arrives and keep me updated on production so I will keep everyone informed.

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by 12Bravo » September 30th, 2019, 3:46 pm

Talked with Atanas with Poly Boots. New ball joint boots with a metal lock ring should be ready by the end of Oct.

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by Grasshopper » October 3rd, 2019, 6:31 am

Excellent news. I don't really want to take my A2 out in Winter with the way my boots currently are.

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by Rossco » October 5th, 2019, 6:17 am

I would be interested in a set of Poly Boots manufactured specifically for the M151.

I currently have Poly boots on all my front ball joints but its a challenge working out from the Poly Boot web site what size will work on the M151 joints.
Have to say Poly Boots are a great product and the service as far as delivery etc. from this supplier is excellent.

Rosco
1973 M-151A2
1960 Seagrave LAFD Hook and Ladder Fire Truck
1953 M38A1 Jeep
1998 Ford Escort XR3i
2007 Ford Focus ST 2.5

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by 12Bravo » November 20th, 2019, 2:40 am

Will be getting some samples of new replacement ball joint boots with locking ring from Polyboots sometime next week.

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Re: Dust boots for pivots

Unread post by Grasshopper » November 20th, 2019, 10:25 am

Excellent. Been avoiding driving mine too much until I can get new boots.

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