Less than 18 months and under 1,000 miles my axle boots failed.

[V8srfun]

Just did a pre flight inspection on the truck for its first drive this year after winter. Unfortunately I noticed that my axle boots are heavily dry rot cracked and leaking grease. I purchased what I thought were supposed to be the best silicone boots available but… I am not happy about the idea but I may end up putting zipper boots on the truck as I simply don’t have the time to tear it all down right now. Needles to say I am a little bummed out.

 

[m715mike]

Where and when did you buy your boots?

 

[John S-B]

Just did a pre flight inspection on the truck for its first drive this year after winter. Unfortunately I noticed that my axle boots are heavily dry rot cracked and leaking grease. I purchased what I thought were supposed to be the best silicone boots available but… I am not happy about the idea but I may end up putting zipper boots on the truck as I simply don’t have the time to tear it all down right now. Needles to say I am a little bummed out.

Chinese made? For some reason I seem to recall some kind of issue like that.

 

[Mullaney]

Just did a pre flight inspection on the truck for its first drive this year after winter. Unfortunately I noticed that my axle boots are heavily dry rot cracked and leaking grease. I purchased what I thought were supposed to be the best silicone boots available but… I am not happy about the idea but I may end up putting zipper boots on the truck as I simply don’t have the time to tear it all down right now. Needles to say I am a little bummed out.

.
If they were NOS (New Old Stock) parts, problem could have just been stored in unconditioned space. Not especially with good temperature and humidity control - and in the dark - not exposed to UV (think fluorescent lighting).

Just a guess.

Or like @John S-B suggested where maybe you got a really good price and the parts you bought "weren't from around here" maybe? Hope not...

 

[rustystud]

There where a whole lot of "Bad" silicone axle boots from China a few years back. They would fail after just a few days ! Some would get a years worth of use, then failure. Supposedly there was some company making them here in the good old USA out of quality material. I cannot remember their name but "Ouverson" sold them . Maybe they still do.

 

[m715mike]

I’ve had good luck with boots sold by rockwelloffroad.com

 

[G744]

Any experience with those recently sold by Memphis?

DG

 

[ldmack3]

I've given up on best price.
Also, some surplus dealers charge too much for handling.

AXLE BOOT HD, BLACK, 2.5 TON

Heavy Duty One Piece Axle Boot These are the thickest 1 piece boots available for the 2.5 Ton Axles, made from HD synthetic rubber, they are a 1 piece design that prevents any water from seeping into your axle even if completely submersed and will work with stock and aftermarket knuckles These...

westerncanadianrockwell.ca

 

[HDN]

I'm sticking with zipper boots so that when this does happen I don't have to take the front end apart at shorter intervals than actually needed

In the mean time make sure those knuckles are greased. My boots are torn too and I can at least see they're well-greased

 

[ldmack3]

AXLE BOOT HD ZIPPER, 2.5 TON

This is an HD zipper boot for 2.5 Ton steer axles. The zipper allows you to install the boot without removing the steering knuckle. The zipper is the heaviest version available. These will work with stock and aftermarket axles. * Please note the zipper is not waterproof. If you are submersing...

westerncanadianrockwell.ca

 

[fleetmech]

I need to do mine this year, I got a set of zipper boots. I dont figure there's any point in tearing apart the entire front end for something thats going to fail every year or two at most.

 

[HanksDeuce]

I've had the same rockwelloffroad.com black silicone axle boots since 2012 on my bobbed deuce after installing the disc brake kit. No issues.

 

[V8srfun]

I got the ones from big mikes. I guess I should have done better research before I bought

 

[V8srfun]

Should I get the heavy duty ones or no. I think I am going to try the rockwellofroad ones.

 

[V8srfun]

Just got off the phone with rockwellofroad.com. They say the standard and hd boots are the same part so I don’t know why they have them listed separately but ok.