Tore bellows boot on steering linkage....

[tnewbern]

Ok Coyote Machine either you are bad luck or this is a poor design. While pushing some brush into the woods at a friend of mines I performed the same customization to the steering bellows.

I saw it happen ran over a small branch and wathc ed wrap around the axle. I thought I should get out and remove that before something happens. Na let me just back up and see what happens. Well it started to unwind then oh noooooo. Yep you guessed it. The little brang unwrapped itself right between the guard and steerning rod.

So if you have not undertaken the repair yet I will post a couple of picture when I get the part. I will order tomorrow.

Tom

 

[Coyote machine]

Tnewbern,
Bad luck, no; poor design, possibly. I think it's about lack of driving skills:laughing:

And no, I haven't yet received the part. It seems one has to buy the entire linkage from tie-rod end to where it connects to the steering rod. Not a cheap fix, unfortunately.

Show me the pics:thumbsup:

 

[tnewbern]

Fair enough I lack driving skills so whats your excuss. I would put a smilies here but could not figues out which is sarcasm.

Your right about needing to order the whole ball joint assembly. That is crazy but I ordered one anyway ($145) not cheap but seems reasonable for the complete ball joint.

I am not going to change it though until I see signs of a problem. There is no point in replacing the joint just because the boot is torn. Yeah it might not outlive a joint with an intact boot lesson learned. Maybe by the time it lets go I will have the necessary driving skills to avoid damaging the new one (insert smilies here). Sorry but you may have to wait for the details and pics.

 

[Coyote machine]

I just wrapped my boot and arm area with a plastic bag for now to keep out dirt, the enemy of functional joints. I think I might be able to do something similar but better with Grace roofing underlayment to seal the boot from water and dirt. Lighten up dude- the driving skills thing was a joke on both our abilities to stay out of trouble. The design could be better in my opinion to protect against the possibility of tears like ours.
Too bad the boot isn't available as a retrofit like CV joints on some cars.

 

[tnewbern]

I got the joke and fancied my witty retort in jest. That was the nature of the sarcasm smilies. Using sarcasm in the ironic sense as you and I both tore our boots.

Now I don't care who you are that right there is funny. Just in case you did not get that its Larry The Cable Guy.

I guess I just have a poor sense of humor. Oh and by the way I do lack people skills I am an engineer its my nature.

Maybe this will help YouTube - ‪Dilbert - The Knack full‬‏.

The full version is better but you may not want to sit through all that. http://youtu.be/TirAmOFw_WA

 

[Coyote machine]

Got it! I guess we are just missing our individual senses of humor- it's sometimes hard to perceive the intended meaning on the net.
I get the engineer thing - my son is at RPI, was in computer science/engineering, now switched to business management- he's better suited to it. Nearly went for an M.E. at Farleigh, years ago but came to VT instead. Ended up with a Master's in Applied Psychology later on.

 

[Illini22]

You can add me to the steering cylinder bellows (or boot). Is there any new info on a repair, or you still need to buy the whole cylinder just for the boot? It would be nice if there were some mind of a split boot repair.

 

[Coyote machine]

I tore mine early on in it's life when turned to lock on either direction the boot is vunerable because it extends beyond the shield, when it's needed most !
My still functioning repair was to pack the boot full of grease, wrap it with a bag, use heavy duty duct tape to hold it all together, and check it for leakage. So far, hundreds of hours on the fix and no problems.:dance1:

 

[Illini22]

Glad to hear it's still working! I may try putting a zippered heat shrink over it. They are used to repair URD electric services. We also have a split jell filled repair but they are a little smaller. Duct tape may just be the better simpler way thou.

 

[Coyote machine]

I wouldn't over think it. So long as it keeps the joint greased that's enuf. You could use an old inner tube from a bicycle, or similar and cut it so that it could be wrapped over the area in circles like a hockey stick handle, to allow flex while containing the grease. Hold the ends in place with cable ties under duct tape. Simple and done.