cv joint boot life extension ?
#1
cv joint boot life extension ?
Hello folks,
I keep my cars running as long as possible and have seen lots of boots go... so also joints. Isn't it sensible to try to preserve your boot with treatment? My retired VW mechanic used to note that he treated them with every oil change and I was totally grateful. ..so I asked the generic garage guy if there was any way to treat them so to prolong death.
He noted that "any protectorant is likely to attract dirt and with it, abraision that would lessen life". I stated that it seemed unlikely that Armor All would cause rubber to attract and hold on to dirt. He said that he would be very curious about how any forum would reply to this question of protection or lubrication for such as a CV boot. He also noted that nothing can stop rubber dryrot and that he has seen is "covered up" with armorall but doubts that any life was added.
The WV guy retired for good.... from the auto world but deals in scuba stuff... so maybe I should find his new shop and inquire as to what he used..... Your thoughts appreciated.
I keep my cars running as long as possible and have seen lots of boots go... so also joints. Isn't it sensible to try to preserve your boot with treatment? My retired VW mechanic used to note that he treated them with every oil change and I was totally grateful. ..so I asked the generic garage guy if there was any way to treat them so to prolong death.
He noted that "any protectorant is likely to attract dirt and with it, abraision that would lessen life". I stated that it seemed unlikely that Armor All would cause rubber to attract and hold on to dirt. He said that he would be very curious about how any forum would reply to this question of protection or lubrication for such as a CV boot. He also noted that nothing can stop rubber dryrot and that he has seen is "covered up" with armorall but doubts that any life was added.
The WV guy retired for good.... from the auto world but deals in scuba stuff... so maybe I should find his new shop and inquire as to what he used..... Your thoughts appreciated.
#2
Another view
Hi racket7
All I can add is on the Cars & trucks I restore. The first thing I reach for is a Polyurathane replacement for rubber parts. I know that at least some of my Clients used galons of Armorall, brake fluid & silicone on their rubber parts.
Rubber is attacked by everything out there, & with Urathane well, it just shrugs it off due to it's nature. I would bet if I was to take up SCUBA again, my mask & fins would/ must be made of Urathane today.
You should atempt to keep grease & oil cleaned off, so it does not trap & hold Grit & grime around moving parts. Rubber & plastic have been replaced by Urathane & Polymers. They just last a lot longer, no matter what you apply to rubber or plastic.
Of course their are Companies that spend Millions trying to make you believe their product will work magic .
All I can add is on the Cars & trucks I restore. The first thing I reach for is a Polyurathane replacement for rubber parts. I know that at least some of my Clients used galons of Armorall, brake fluid & silicone on their rubber parts.
Rubber is attacked by everything out there, & with Urathane well, it just shrugs it off due to it's nature. I would bet if I was to take up SCUBA again, my mask & fins would/ must be made of Urathane today.
You should atempt to keep grease & oil cleaned off, so it does not trap & hold Grit & grime around moving parts. Rubber & plastic have been replaced by Urathane & Polymers. They just last a lot longer, no matter what you apply to rubber or plastic.
Of course their are Companies that spend Millions trying to make you believe their product will work magic .
#3
Polyurathane Pam
Great reply! Do you think that they have come up with a Polyurathane boot that is flexible enough to handle the what a boot a rubber boot does? Wouldn't it be great to coat the rubber with Polyurathane so that it resists everything? Seems to me that this is all a std boot needs is a poly coating.... I will seek further (but not too strenuously) for the correct combination. Grease retention and dirt protection - exposed to all road and temp elements.... how hard can it be to totally resolve? What would it cost industry if one did? Bet it would sell ! or get you a good buyout!
#4
Rubber vrs Urathane parts.
Hi racket7
I believe that NAPA has them. I think NAPA has gone down hill with high prices & poor quality the last 5 years. I shop www.summitracing.com they carry a lot more than racing parts with free Shipping, that makes it nice.
Everytime I have replaced Urathane for rubber, the urathane has eceeded the rubber in all aplications, Engine/Trans mounts, sway bars, clutch boots, cab & body mounts etc. I was working for Yamaha when a product came out called yamabond, an early form of RTV sealant. No more leaky British Bikes or Harleys, that was a big improvement yet it still was affected by fuel. Hyplomar is impervious to fuel, & one of our newer compounds we have today. Summit carries the brand Energy Suspension make the best Urathane replacements IMHO with Moog a close 2nd.
I believe that NAPA has them. I think NAPA has gone down hill with high prices & poor quality the last 5 years. I shop www.summitracing.com they carry a lot more than racing parts with free Shipping, that makes it nice.
Everytime I have replaced Urathane for rubber, the urathane has eceeded the rubber in all aplications, Engine/Trans mounts, sway bars, clutch boots, cab & body mounts etc. I was working for Yamaha when a product came out called yamabond, an early form of RTV sealant. No more leaky British Bikes or Harleys, that was a big improvement yet it still was affected by fuel. Hyplomar is impervious to fuel, & one of our newer compounds we have today. Summit carries the brand Energy Suspension make the best Urathane replacements IMHO with Moog a close 2nd.
#5
That makes sense. Tx again
That makes sense. Tx again. I will scope out the sites for the products you noted. Sounds like you've seen it all. Happy Holidays..