Who makes better boots than type 2 german for the 181

timgud · Post by **timgud** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 8:47 am

I replaced the boots on the Thing alittle over a year ago with type 2 german cv boots and three of the four have fallen apart. (first time in almost 20 years this has happened to me) I posted this question on the thing forum on thesamba but only got a respose from a guy who had never run the 930 boots that empi makes,but had purchased them. Anyone know if these boots will hold up or another type of boot that will? I would prefer not to redo the cv's every year if it can be avoided. Any help appreciated.

suntour · Post by **suntour** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:46 am

Ok, this is my suggestion. I also have CV boot problems (well had. Once I put the rear suspension back to stock height it went away with German rubber boots) I tried a bunch of different boots and they all crapped out. What I did in the end was to take a broken boot with just a edge left (approximately 3/8?) on the flange side and sewed up some cones of leather to the edge of the old boots and used a pipe clamp on the top part to keep it on the axel. (circle clamp? Those things that hold hoses, like your oil lines I just can?t remember the technical name). They never failed, they didn?t look to great and the grease made them feel a little spongy but it kept the grease in there. I did notice just recently that McKenzies now sells leather boots with and without flanges. On that note I would recommend calling or emailing McKenzies and asking them if they have a cheaper alternative to leather boots that would hold up. Alter all they deal with really high angle drive lines every day and should know for certain what will hold up and what won?t. Just my .02 cents.

germansupplyscott · Post by **germansupplyscott** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:03 pm

i am pretty sure these are the best available:

http://www.rockfordcv.com/rcvboot.htm

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Sun Feb 13, 2005 1:55 pm

SCott, Can you please post the parts number for the CV boots for which you posted the link.. They sound great. I currently run German boots kits that I buy from Things Unlimited for $15. I always buy the kit and replace the bolts, washers, clips and use the factory CV grease. I have no troubles. Bur I have not had my off-road Thing out in the rough stuff as I am still finishing up final stuff on it. BtW if anyone needs Thing CVs or Axles. I have a fairly good supply right now of good used parts. Most of them are cleaned and inspected, packed in bags that say what end and what side they were run. The advantage of having that information is that you can run them on the opposite side and end and they will be the same as new. K-mann

germansupplyscott · Post by **germansupplyscott** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 8:41 am

k-mann,

i just spoke to a distributor for rockford and he told me something i thought i would share. it is that the rockford boots are very good, but not so good in very cold climates. they are made from a type of material, not quite rubber, that is not very flexible in cold temperatures.

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:16 pm

From what Ive been told by racers, the MrBug boots are the best cheap CV boot out there. I think MrBug=Empi. From what I remember MrBug is stamped in the rubber. I had a set a few years back, they tore pretty quick, but I was running those CVs at max angle.

If you want to spend a bit more $$ and have a better boot that will last, you can go with a 930 style boot. However, these usually have a separate boot flange that you have to attach to the rubber boot. If you call McKenzies in Anaheim, they have this style boot for the Type 4/2 CV.

Ive since gone to 930 CVs to get away from this problem.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:34 am

The low cost method solution is to have extra axles and CVs. I can break down a set of axles and put them back together in under and hour. I have lots of extras. swapping out an axle with a serviced axle is a fast job. Put the rear on stands. Pull both back tires. I use my battery powereed impact driver and can pull an axle and bolt upp a new one in less that 20 minutes. But like MAttt said the ultimate solution if you can afford it is to switch over to a 930 set up. This requires the following parts

930 stub axles
930 trans flanges
930 CVs, boots and axles

The good news is that whenyou convert over you can easily sell your Things parts for good $

K-mann

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:40 am

KMann I was also saying that if you didnt want the expense of 930 CVs, you could just get "930 style" boots for your Type 4(Thing) CVs. They are less likely to tear than a std. CV boot.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 9:56 pm

Duh... Reading is a skill that would help even a bone head like me.

McKenzies 1 888 426-7491
www.mckenzies.com

Mattt would you mind posting here the McKenzies part number and price of the 930 style boots that fit on Thing CVs and axles. It would be a nice thing to have listed here. Thanks. K-mann

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:41 pm

Unfortunately I dont know the part # or price of those boots & boot flanges.

Id definitely say they run more than a standard CV boot, but once you buy the boot flanges the cost goes down because you use the same boot flange over again, and only replace the rubber boot.

I never knew they had an 800 #

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 8:50 pm

Last May when you and I missed hooking up when you went to HI, we hooked up with the McKenzie team guys wen we were pitting down on the 500. .After we pitted our two cars, we helped them pit their cars and they gave us very nice cordura velcro strapped pre run tool bags. The bags had the crew/racers 888 number on them. The funny part is the one mechanic gave me a box that night after the raceand it had two of those boots but no flanges. Now back in CO, I would like to use the boots. When you go on the web page you can not tell one CV boot part from another by their descriptions. I am in the selling mode for CVs and axles these days. I have a very food supply. But I would like to build a few axles with 930 boots while I have these surplus parts. I have a big want to trade list if anyone needs CVs and axles.. interior lights wiper arms... other ideas. K-mann