CV Joint boots

[lhd]

I dont think the actual joints are as good now either,long gone are the times of fit and forget. I had one go after a couple of months, It was GKN one too from GSF.
They are probably getting them made in China along with everybody else.

[toomanytoys]

Your comments have been forwarded to GKN.
Disappointing for us, seems your not alone, we've had some other feed back about them too.
We know about it and are looking into it.
I enquired about using a "fast" boot but they won't work at the angles we want, also been looking for a thermoplastic boot but there isn't one the right dimensions, GKN suggested a few boots quite near but not near enough.
We'll look for another brand until GKN tell us what's going on with them.
I have a sneaky suspicion that one of the ingredients that go into making the rubber has been outlawed or something and the replacement just doesn't cut It.
Anyway, I've mentioned this to them before and I've forwarded the above to them, if they come back with anything remains to be seen.

Nice job Si
Yes.. seems the critical ingredient could be banned now.. or its so costly they have cut it right back..
Tried Contitech?

Mine are GKN Lobro... 3 years and.... just checked MOT... 15,000km...

[syncropaddy]

Your comments have been forwarded to GKN.
Disappointing for us, seems your not alone, we've had some other feed back about them too.
We know about it and are looking into it.

I have a sneaky suspicion that one of the ingredients that go into making the rubber has been outlawed or something and the replacement just doesn't cut It.
Anyway, I've mentioned this to them before and I've forwarded the above to them, if they come back with anything remains to be seen.

Thanks Simon. I doubt very much if its an ingredient outlaw thing as almost everything on wheels these days uses CV joints and they all have boots on them that last more than 15,000 kms! Its down to GKN / whoever making these things down to a price and are not using the materials used in the originals - for what ever reason. I can still buy genuine Mercedes CV joint boots for my 1990 300SE so someone is still making these items to OE spec, so why not for a T3

They are probably getting them made in China along with everybody else.

It makes no difference where they are made as long as the ingredients are correct. Oddly enough there is no indication where the Spidan/Lobro/GKN Driveline boots are made. No markings at all !!

Could even be made in Surrey

[max and caddy]

Oh no..not Surrey!....the newer golfs n stuff have a hard plastic boot and these could be fitted instead...but not sure if the angles would be a problem with those...they don't perish at all and rarly fail...on cars...

[Simon Baxter]

Oh no..not Surrey!....the newer golfs n stuff have a hard plastic boot and these could be fitted instead...but not sure if the angles would be a problem with those...they don't perish at all and rarly fail...on cars...

Thermoplastic.

I've been trying to find one the same dimension to test them but, I can get one that will need an adapter between the boot and the shaft at the small end.

I've already asked if there is an OE grade boot rather than and aftermarket boot, as yet no response.

[max and caddy]

Oh...the shafts thinner then? Will look a bit closer at those..had look at my front inners today...more cracked up than dj smile...need to change those when the front suspension swap gets done...do I get more from vw...love to get a warranty claim in on them and repair my van at work if they spit as well...

[jebiga41]

Might be of interest http://translate.googleusercontent.com/ ... hex8_6z1FA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[toomanytoys]

Might be of interest http://translate.googleusercontent.com/ ... hex8_6z1FA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice work..

So.. 14" test rig needed now then... Porsche 944 joints allowing the 23 degree of angle.. that will test the buggers..

[Simon Baxter]

There is no warranty if you fit 944 joint to the wrong vehicle (I.e a T3)
Ask me how I know...
We're going to E D I T the webshop once were allowed to (web monkeys currently swapping data from current web shop to new web shop)

[syncropaddy]

Might be of interest http://translate.googleusercontent.com/ ... hex8_6z1FA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Inconclusive unfortunately!

[toomanytoys]

a***... just been under truck and the dodgy looking one has failed.. gotta change that now.. hope the joint comes off reasonably easy.. don't have a press..

[Mudlark]

Just MOT'd the Westy - Also failed on outer front CV boots split. These were both fitted 6500 miles ago.

I would expect a rubber ingredient change to be part of the story. Either that or the lift associated with the andreas springs set up is a lift too far and the boots cant take the angles.

If you wonder why washing machine door boots go mouldy a the drop of a hat these days its likely part of the same problem. Germans especially like to lead on environmental improvements to their manufacturing processes and of the waste by-products.

[max and caddy]

Outer boots are not a problem are they? They are hard plastic type ones?

[Simon Baxter]

Outer boots are not a problem are they? They are hard plastic type ones?

Mark has Lidl Springs.
It's also Lidl that is testing all the CV boots for longevity.

[max and caddy]

Ahh right I see...oh...no I don't..what's the conection?