Rubber Boot Crisis

[busheytrader]

After the earlier thread about how the available rubber gearbox mounts are unsuitably hard / harsh, I'm having a rant about the rubber boots for the front suspension. The ones that cover the lower ball joints.
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Why can't they last more than 12 months at a time? There are more splits in both of them than the steering bush I'm currently replacing. I'm now replacing the fourth one in as many years. Is there anything I can dress them with to preserve them? I'm not getting any quicker in changing them and its about as much fun as replacing the fuel tank.

I've bought them from the usual suspects. Is anyone having more luck with them than me?

Adam



TR7 V8 DHC Jaguar Solent Blue. 9.35cr Range Rover V8, Holley 390cfm, JWR Dual Port, 214 Cam, Lumention, Tubular Manifolds, S/S Single Pipe Exh, 3.08 Rear, 200lb Spax & PolyBushes all round, Anti- Dive, Strut-Top Roller Bearings, Capri Vented Discs & Calipers, Braided Hoses, 4 Speed Rear Cylinders, Uprated Master Cylinder & Servo, AT 14" 5 Spokes or Maestro Turbo 15" Alloys, Cruise Lights, S/S Heater Pipes, Replacement Fuel Tank. No Door Stickers. Mine since July 1986, V8 from 1991 courtesy of S&S V8 conversion and big brake kits.

[FI Spyder]

I dress all rubber components including new parts with Maguiar's rubber and vinyl cleaner and conditioner.




Any rubber seals, O rungs etc. I lube with red rubber grease.

http://www.redrubbergrease.com/



- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[john 215]

Hi Adam,

I have exactly the same problem, the original ball jionts had a totally different boots on them, they tended to last longer than the year the pattern type do [:(!]





Far it be for to suggest that these gaiters are designed to only last a short period of time [:0]

Cheers John


LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!

1976 Speke FHC Beauty Now with an overdrive conversion

1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6, BUILT NOT BROUGHT !!!!

[FI Spyder]

Mine rubber pieces have been on for 7 years (the originals had mostly disintegrated and were mostly or completely missing)and counting, as well as the gaiters (strut and steering). The only rubber I'm replacing is the top rad hose (year 7) as it has hair line cracks where the clamp holds it in place (as it runs hotter than the bottom hose) and I don't want to chance a leak on the road.


- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[busheytrader]

The available dust covers aren't as flat as I remember the original ones but cracks shouldn't be appearing after just one year. I'll give the brake grease a go to try to preserve them.

The front shock absorber gaiters are still good after several years, the originals disintegrated around their 25th anniversary. That led to the early demise of the shox as road dirt and crap found their way on to the shafts.

Adam

[busheytrader]

Just ordered some Castrol red rubber grease through the net. Only a few pounds for a 50 gram tin.

I'll smear both of the dust covers inside and out and hope I won't be repeating the process next year[:0]

Adam

[Ianftr8]

Have the same problem with the gaiters for the front shockers. Wish they'd last more than a couple of years.

Cheers

Ian

Ian Freeman
1979 TR8 DHC KDU 315V Poseidon Green
Triumph Courier
Triumph owner for 32 years

[j.johnson23]

A cynic might say they are made of crap material to keep you buying year after year.Personally I think its down to them being made in chinese sweatshops and being sold at great profit.18 months for a garaged and occasional use car is a joke either way.

[nick]

I've repaired the ball joint one after I got carried away with a ball joint separator and tore one. I used a latex kitchen glove material and some glue to cover the hole. That was 2 years ago and it is holding up well.

[img][IMG]http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt234/nickmi/TR7%201975/Yellow.jpg[/img]
nick
'79 TR7 DHC
'76 TR7 FHC