Shuttle lever rubber boot has torn again

[KiwiBro]

Second time for me in 350 hrs. Out of warranty now so will take a look at what might be causing it when I replace it. only a minor issue but am keen to know if anyone else has had this happen to them? I can't recall any times sticks or twigs have made it that far into the open station they would contact the rubber, so apart from a sharp edge in the plastic or the underlying lever connections I can't work out why it keeps happening other than wafer thin rubber.

 

[ruffdog]

Not all rubber is created equal. About 10-12 years ago, there was a rash of bad valve stems that would deteriorate and crumble after a short time.

 

[radios1]

keep it coated with armorall, both on top, and underneath, it will help protect the rubber, and also protect it from drying out. btw, rubber gets destroyed over time by petroleum based oil/grease too...

 

[fried1765]

keep it coated with armorall, both on top, and underneath, it will help protect the rubber, and also protect it from drying out. btw, rubber gets destroyed over time by petroleum based oil/grease too...

3M... "303" is MUCH better for rubber than Armorall!

 

[ruffdog]

3M... "303" is MUCH better for rubber than Armorall!

Agree....we use to spray it on the fabric covering our ultralights.

 

[KiwiBro]

You guys are going to turn me into a tractor polisher by the end of this

 

[oosik]

No tractor polisher here. I do, however, hose it down good after a bout in the dirt/mud.

My tractor is in a carport when not in use and I douche the rubber boot down with 303 every spring. I even pulled it completely off and did the inside once. Around here the sun can be the big bad booger on rubber. Carport is all that's needed to keep it all out of the sun.

 

[KiwiBro]

Thanks for the replies. I've got some 303 on order and will take a look at the boot and what might be causing the issue. Hopefully something obvious. I am pretty careful where the tractor goes and am the only one using it so I don't think I've been so reckless as to spike and tear it twice, with sticks or the like. But as nobody else is having an issue with the rubber, I'm a bit stumped on this one. Like i said though, it's only a small issue and easily sorted.

 

[Kioti Paul]

I would suppose the first time it happened you probably didn't examine it closely (just one of those things) Maybe this time look at it closely to see if it looks "cut", or "gouged"; and make some notes and/or pictures so that if it keeps happening perhaps you can tell if it keeps failing the same way, in the same place.