Front Axle Boots (Which One To Buy)

[WhoMe08721]

Hey Guys,

Hear Is Todays One Million Dollar Question. Which Font Axle Boot To Buy For A M35A2. Today, While Cleaning My Truck I Notice That My Font Axle Boots Are Ripped. I Have Replaced Them About 4 Time Now From The Day I Bought The Truck. I Have Had BLACK ZIPPER, GOLD ZIPPER , SILICONE, And One Piece One. They All Fail On Me About After 2 To 2.5 Year. So My Question Is Which One Should I Buy Now. If You Have Any Opinion On This, Love To Hear It.

 

[ldmack3]

Check out this video. He covers a number of install problems.
m35a2 knuckle boots at DuckDuckGo

 

[47to70]

Good Vid. But what are the best zipper boots out there?

 

[ldmack3]

That I don't know. My first boot change. I have read Western Canadian Rockwell makes some HD boots. I went with non zippered.

 

[m715mike]

I really like Rockwell Offroad’s boots.

@ROCKWELLOFFROAD

Explore premium offroad parts and accessories at Rockwell Offroad. Elevate your offroad adventures with our high-quality products designed for performance and durability.

www.rockwelloffroad.com

 

[cattlerepairman]

I second @m715mike on rockwelloffroad.com boots. Their heavy duty boots are a tad oversized on purpose to ease installation. I changed them about three years ago and they are still perfect. I can say that install was a breeze. Mine are orange.....because. https://www.rockwelloffroad.com/product-page/2-5-ton-heavy-duty-boot-and-clamp-kit
If you are doing front end work, look into their upgraded drive shaft seal retainer and sock seal as well. https://www.rockwelloffroad.com/pro...-billet-retainer-with-tube-seal-wobble-seal-1
Not affiliated in any way.

 

[V8srfun]

I went with the silicone ones from big Mike’s they have been on the truck for about a year with no problems so far. I would not want the boots to last much more than 2.5 years because you should be in there to inspect things from time to time. I could not confidently drive a truck as big and heavy as a deuce with out knowing it is road worthy and safe.

 

[HDN]

I'm going to get zipper boots for my truck. If they're going to wear out so much, I might as well make the replacement easy!

I'd love to learn how to make my own out of silicone rubber. The only thing is that I have no idea how to make a zipper version without resorting to adhesive.

 

[V8srfun]

Being that these boots are in contact with grease you will not get one to last for more than a couple years. There is nothing wrong with zipper boots if you respect them for what they are. They are not weather tight so I would not recommend driving in rain and snow.
The boots do not add that much more labor to a bearing repack that should be done yearly especially when you consider the time invested in getting the truck up on jack stands and pulling the wheels and drums and adjusting the brake shoes while you are there.
I guess it is a calculated investment are you willing to take the risk of a failure and cost of parts and possible properly damage or just eat the cost of consumables and labor to do regular service.

 

[INFChief]

That’s interesting. I spent 21 years in the Army a and only saw them torn due to contact with objects. Why are yours tearing?

 

[V8srfun]

That’s interesting. I spent 21 years in the Army a and only saw them torn due to contact with objects. Why are yours tearing?

If you are asking me my boots have not torn they have only been installed for about a year and I do not do any driving that puts my boots at risk for puncture from foreign objects

 

[HDN]

That’s interesting. I spent 21 years in the Army a and only saw them torn due to contact with objects. Why are yours tearing?

I think mine are worn out due to age. They're probably original to the truck and were never replaced, and I don't think the truck was taken off-road much (belonged to an Army Reserve mail terminal). Probably the most off-roading it saw was when I took it for a test drive in a field behind the previous owner's home. I haven't had it off-road since.

 

[INFChief]

If you are asking me my boots have not torn they have only been installed for about a year and I do not do any driving that puts my boots at risk for puncture from foreign objects

Like I said, that’s very odd. There must be a bad batch out there. The biggest issue I remember having was keeping the wire clamp in the groove. The 5 tons were better to work with.

 

[INFChief]

If you are asking me my boots have not torn they have only been installed for about a year and I do not do any driving that puts my boots at risk for puncture from foreign objects

Are they tearing at the folds / bellows? Tearing at the zipper? Do you have any pictures?

 

[ldmack3]

Like I said my first boot change. I read about how much trouble they are to put on almost needing a second set of hands. Hogwash. Just follow the video especially the part about keeping grease and oil off of them and the clamping surface.

 

[V8srfun]

Are they tearing at the folds / bellows? Tearing at the zipper? Do you have any pictures?

Mine are Not tearing they are only a year old

 

[V8srfun]

Like I said my first boot change. I read about how much trouble they are to put on almost needing a second set of hands. Hogwash. Just follow the video especially the part about keeping grease and oil off of them and the clamping surface.

I agree I had no trouble installing the clamp and credit it to meticulously cleaning the groove with brake clean

 

[INFChief]

Mine are Not tearing they are only a year old

I only made you say that 3 times. I was gonna go for a 4th….. lol

 

[V8srfun]

I only made you say that 3 times. I was gonna go for a 4th….. lol

I just figured you had trouble reading

 

[davidb56]

That’s interesting. I spent 21 years in the Army a and only saw them torn due to contact with objects. Why are yours tearing?

Mine tear because thick brush and twigs are in the paths I drive in.