What actually happens is that the seals wear out with time, allowing the oil to seep out, that comes in contact with the gaiter and makes it deteriorate.
The gaiters don't need oil on them to deteriorate.
jp928Mine looked pretty old when it came off, and its a greased type tube.
![]()
Didn't know rubber grease existed -I'll use it next time I replaceI think the best way to go is convert your oil filled tube to a grease filled tube. Assemble it with castrol rubber grease. Then if grease does migrate its way onto the boot then it should not deteriorate it!
https://www.amazon.com/GENUINE-Corr...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583451676354161&psc=1Didn't know rubber grease existed -I'll use it next time I replace
Evening guys - perhaps a daft question, but can you top up an oil based De Dion Tube with grease in situ. i.e. rather than dismantle the tube, top up the Tube with (hot / warm low viscosity grease under low pressure) which will increase its viscosity when cooler.
I too have a worn gaiter, with an occasional leak, but not the time / means to dismantle the Tube.
Is a worn gaiter an MOT failure - to be confirm shortly.
Appreciated,
Simon
Evening guys - perhaps a daft question, but can you top up an oil based De Dion Tube with grease in situ. i.e. rather than dismantle the tube, top up the Tube with (hot / warm low viscosity grease under low pressure) which will increase its viscosity when cooler.
I too have a worn gaiter, with an occasional leak, but not the time / means to dismantle the Tube.
Is a worn gaiter an MOT failure - to be confirm shortly.
Appreciated,
Simon
This sounds similar to the 'one shot' grease for Defender/RRC front swivel joints which also ran on EP90 from factoryIn the past with P4 kingpins that ran a ball thrust race designed to use 90ep oil, when the seals started leaking some mixed 90 with grease and pumped that in. The gaiter is not that hard to change - imho maybe a 3-4 out of 10. since the assembly is the same greased or oilled, apart from no filler plug on the greased type, no reason you cant go to greased, aslong as you can get grease onto the working faces.