BX23S boot rotted off @ 70 hrs!

[IchabodCrayne]

I was rolling about under my Bx23s during routine greasing today and found this...
View attachment 565891View attachment 565892
I've had this thing 3 months?(ish)
There's 70 hrs on it.
All the other rubber on the machine looks fine.
The other end of same shaft...
View attachment 565897
I assume they'll warranty it but I can't afford the lost time before winter.
This, the limp bucket syndrome and astoundingly porous welds are leaving me underwhelmed with Kubota quality.

 

[moship]

I'd also be very disappointed to see that if it was my tractor. Something is obviously went wrong when they compounded that batch of rubber. One would expect a number of dust boots produced out of this batch of material to experience the same fate.

Although it will be covered under warranty now, I hope the replacement is of much higher quality or you'll be replacing on your dime.

The condition of your dust boot looks similar to the premature failure I have with on my Thunderbird SC rack & Pinion rubber bellows. The replacement rack has a lifetime warranty, but the bellows or dust boots fail catastrophically within 12 months. Of course they will gladly replace the rack (not the boots individually) so there is always 4+ hours of labor and an alignment needed each time. I've yet to find a replacement boot that lasts, which leads me to think they are made by one supplier and packaged under various brands.

 

[IchabodCrayne]

My CanAm atv also had all the rubber pieces around the engine rot off in the first year. (2014)

 

[IchabodCrayne]

Kubota warrantied. Replaced both boots on that shaft. I will be using silicone spray on all the rubber parts as regular maintenance from here on.
I do this on my atv and have seen no dry rot since.

 

[justoldjoe]

It has been a number of years ago but I replaced the 'axle boots' on my VW with a replacement split axle boot. I don't recall the size, I'm sure a VW parts department would also have them. I just wanted to offer as another option........

 

[dragoneggs]

I rebooted my BX myself once. My second set have ripped as well. Obviously the OEM boots are indeed weak and do not last. There are aftermarket boots and I think my next change out will use them instead of OEM parts. It is a big pain to replace them though.

 

[IchabodCrayne]

I rebooted my BX myself once. My second set have ripped as well. Obviously the OEM boots are indeed weak and do not last. There are aftermarket boots and I think my next change out will use them instead of OEM parts. It is a big pain to replace them though.

Are they getting torn or degrading and coming apart?
I can see them getting torn if tractor is used in brush and sticks without a skid plate. When I find a flail mower I will add protection underneath b4 heading into the brush.
If they're degrading try silicone spray. Give them a good soak right from new and everytime you do an oil change. It seems to make a big difference in the lifespan of the "rubber" parts.

 

[dragoneggs]

Are they getting torn or degrading and coming apart?
I can see them getting torn if tractor is used in brush and sticks without a skid plate. When I find a flail mower I will add protection underneath b4 heading into the brush.
If they're degrading try silicone spray. Give them a good soak right from new and everytime you do an oil change. It seems to make a big difference in the lifespan of the "rubber" parts.

I think is more from abuse than UV degradation but likely some of both. I think the silicone spray is a good idea. They are too thin to begin with though, in my opinion.

There are aftermarket 'yellow' boots out there but I will have to do some digging to find them. If I do, I will post link.

 

[IchabodCrayne]

Please do.. and thanks in advance.

 

[dragoneggs]

I think is more from abuse than UV degradation but likely some of both. I think the silicone spray is a good idea. They are too thin to begin with though, in my opinion.

There are aftermarket 'yellow' boots out there but I will have to do some digging to find them. If I do, I will post link.

Here is the link where I learned of them... from fellow TBNer, 4shorts. Can't find them on ebay though as he suggests.

Our BX Gets The Boot - YouTube