Monday, March 27, 2006 - 10:32 pm, by: Paul Morante(Breaker)
It took some searching, but I've finally found some plastic/rubber/neoprene etc that is busted. R/hand boot has two cracks, so wish to replace both, but James at Castle Hill says they're not serviceable. Have others found this to be true, or has anyone located a boot that fits before I start the search?
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 03:04 am, by: Roger Costello(Roger)
Paul
To the best of my knowledge there is no effective replacement boot of worthwhile quality. There are some aftermarket "split" type replacement boots but they are not very good (rubbish actually).
New tie rod ends or a repair the old boots are the only options I am aware of. Sometimes using black "Self Amalgamating Tape" of the type used to waterproof electrical connections on boats produces a durable repair. Spraying the originals with an Aerosol Tyre shine type product seems to stop them deteriorating but it needs to be done at least once a year.
If anyone has found a replacement I know quite a few workshops that would be interested in getting hold of them, it is a problem not confined to Soarers.
There are plenty of other rubber bits on the Soarer that perish, wear out or die such as; Transmission/Engine Mounts Sway Bar Mounts front and rear Steering Rack Bushes Upper and Lower Front and Rear Suspension Bushes Lower Rear Axle Carrier Bushes Lower Strut Bushes, especially on UZZ32's Air Suspension Compressor Mounts on UZZ31's Air Strut Pneumatic Bags on UZZ31's Door Seals - especially the drivers side Rain Gutter PCV Valve Grommet Power steering High Pressure hoses Power Steering Reservoir Outlet Hose on the V8's Ignition Leads and many, many more.
On a 15 year old car you just have to look in the right places.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 07:24 am, by: Roger Costello(Roger)
Peter,
I don't advocate their use on tyres but they do an amazing job of preserving the rubber on the various underbody items such as the Rack Bellows, Rear Axle Universal Joint Bellows etc.