rubber gaiter for the wheel ends of the rear drive shafts

ButterFingers

Active Member
concerning the rubber gaiter for the wheel ends of the rear drive shafts, that cover the universal joint on the brake backing plate.
I was under the car yesterday doing the front brakes and noticed that the rubber boot on the l/h side rear drive shaft to hub had almost disintegrated. the other side was still intact after 40 years in the elements.
It was obviously installed before the welding and assembly of the drive shaft, so its impossible to fit a new one , even if it was available. Has anyone designed a fabric boot, with a Velcro fastener along one edge for fitting to the shaft. I am thinking of making one , but unsure of what material to use that would withstand the rigors of water being sloshed at it during the rainy season?

Peter
 
While there were installed before welding, there is a service note with instructions for fitting either replacements or boots to early driveshafts. You have to remove the shaft, and remove the outer U-joint. The rest of the service note is attached.
 

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I inquired to Wins international UK and was told that they do not stock the gaiters because they thought that they could not be retro fitted, you manual says you can, but how do early and late model shafts differ. My car is a 1976 model , so I guess that it would be classed as later. it is secured by universal joint at both ends with 4 bolts. Maybe the early ones had a splined shaft at one end ?

Peter
 
who would stock Neoprene cloth ?
Peter

Anyone manufacturing or repairing RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats). Depending on the grade you manage to get, you may need to stiffen it but it will handle any weather you want to throw at it.
 
Early shafts don't have the boot, it's the only difference. Very, very early shafts were solid and much smaller in diameter, but the chances of running across a pair of those is vanishingly small.

The boots are not essential to operation of the car. Rover added them after finding outer U-joints were wearing quickly because of road splash. If your car isn't a daily driver, you're probably not going to be driving enough miles in crappy conditions to risk much.

What I would do is find a drive shaft with a decent boot and refurbish it, or if you're up for adventure (the service note is mute on removing a existing boot, it was intended just to allow early shafts to be brought up to the latest specification) removing the boot and installing it on your shaft.

Yours
Vern
 
wetsuit / dive shop would also have it. Former colleagues used it to make dive mitts for use with dry suit.
Luckily the original units fitted to the splined shafts off my donor rover are in great condition. After the effort removing these, would not attempt this job just to change a boot. Maybe cut open a plastic funnel and glue or cable tie together?
 
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