98v70 tie-rod boots

Post by **98v70dad** » 30 Jun 2016, 18:26

I'm replacing my inner and outer tie rods along with the drivers side cv axle seal tomorrow. I just unpacked the parts to find that the lemforder boots that I ordered are hard plastic instead of the rubber that I expected. These should be OK, but what's on the car now is still good (original oe part).

What do you guys think? Use the new Lemforder boots (they seem way too stiff- I dont like them) or reuse the 18 year old parts? If I reuse I'll have to find some zip ties tomorrow to put them on.

Post by **98v70dad** » 30 Jun 2016, 21:27

Anybody? I'm replacing these tomorrow morning so I'd appreciate any feed back about these boots - good or bad. I don't like the feel of them, but maybe they're great.....is there any field experience with them?

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 30 Jun 2016, 21:40

How on earth do hard plastic boots stretch and compact as the traditional rubber ones are meant to?
Ive never seen hard plastic boots before. Very interesting!!

Post by **scot850** » 30 Jun 2016, 22:57

Can you take a picture and post it? Are you sure they are not just plastic covers to protect the rubber boots under them in travel?

Neil.

Post by **98v70dad** » 01 Jul 2016, 08:58

scot850 wrote:Can you take a picture and post it? Are you sure they are not just plastic covers to protect the rubber boots under them in travel?

Neil.

They are definitely plastic. Similar tho the stuff milk bottles are made of. They got a good review on FCPEuro. Lemforder brand. It was not one of the cheaper options. They are the same size and accordion shape as the OE part. I think they would be more durable than rubber but I'm concerned that they are slightly stiff and cinching them down so that they don't move will be difficult. They look just like the original boot and I dont want to open the package (plastic bag) because I might send them back so taking a picture doesn't make sense.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Jul 2016, 09:11

I know that they feel like plastic, but it's a different compound. More and more boots these days are going to this- they are suppose to be more durable and resistant to breaking down from oils and other contaminants. I wouldn't let the "plastic" boot bother you!

Post by **erikv11** » 01 Jul 2016, 09:20

Once when I was doing steering boots, they sent me the wrong size from AutoHausAZ. So I just put the original ones back on, and they are still there. But I think MIJ may be correct too, and you will probably be OK either way. Remember, these are just dust boots, they don't have to hold in grease or oil.

Post by **98v70dad** » 01 Jul 2016, 11:18

MadeInJapan wrote:I know that they feel like plastic, but it's a different compound. More and more boots these days are going to this- they are suppose to be more durable and resistant to breaking down from oils and other contaminants. I wouldn't let the "plastic" boot bother you!

Its the stiffness that concerns me. You have to pull on them fairly hard to extend them.

Post by **98v70dad** » 01 Jul 2016, 19:44

I did one side today. The new boots are exactly like the old ones so I guess I got concerned about nothing. Thanks for the comments.