Dust boots for pivots

[rickf]

I am not flogging anyone, I am just saying that if the testing is not going to be done in a timely manner the parts should be sent back. The supplier could then send them to someone, probably in Europe where they do a lot more driving of their vehicles, for testing.
I say this from personal experience. As I have mentioned in the past I drove race cars for most of my life. A large portion of that was off road racing and when we did that you had sponsors and also manufacturers that would give you parts to put on the vehicle to test. And they wanted to know how it worked fairly quickly since they had money into the R&R. so as drivers we did not just drive we also evaluated and at the end of a race we were expected to write up a report on each item and pass it along to the manufacturer. I can assure you that not all reports were fancy drawn out affairs. If the part broke and cost me a finish they got a report that basically said " This part ********* sucks!!!!". Which would be followed up by a phone call from them wanting to know what happened. If the part fails they usually want it back so they can see what, where and how it failed so they can improve it.

So please, do not take my comments as flogging or malice of any type, the company just wants answers. And those answers will benefit all of us in the end.

[Rossco]

Hi all

From the email trail on this topic it looks like you need some input from me on this question over the prototype set of ball joint "boots"I received from M3a1 several months ago? I apologise for the delay in reporting back.

I eventually got around to installing these trial poly boots on one side of my truck, last month as replacements for the original rubber examples supplied with the ball joint kits.
These new poly boots are a really good fit and with the stainless steel ring they make a good tight seal around the ball joint itself and the fit around the taper where it attaches to the upright makes a nice snug seal. So all up a good replacement option for worn/damaged rubber ball joint boots. I would have no issues recommending these for other M151 owners.

I have previously used poly boots from Atanas on another vehicle I own and they are certainly a great product and very durable.
Purchasing from Atanas via EBay is really easy, freight cost is very reasonable and and delivery time is excellent all the way from Europe all the way down here to New Zealand"

Rossco

[Lou]

I certainly would like to purchase a set for my mutt that see's a lot of off road use. Would also like to replace the boots for tie rod ends as well if there is a replacement available.

[Rossco]

Here is a shot of the new poly boot - in bright yellow - so you cannot loose them! With the original rubber example for comparison.
One thing I should have mentioned in my earlier post is the stainless steel ring is a very tight fit - I had to press them on to the ball joint using a large 3/4 drive socket to seat against the SS ring - which is why I have only done one side of my truck at this stage! So for manufacturing purposes the SS ring needs a very slightly inside diameter to make installation a bit easier



Rossco

[Rossco]

My earlier post should have said

"for manufacturing purposes the SS ring needs a very slightly "Larger " inside diameter to make installation a bit easier
Rossco

[Grasshopper]

Thanks for the feedback Rossco, and to all others who have put time and effort in. I have contacted Polyboot again, hopefully with folk from both sides of the Atlantic contacting them someone will et a response! Plan B for me is to measure up on the vehicle and see what I can perhaps get on ebay (UK), although quality may be an issue with that idea.

Best regards to all,
Vince (UK)

[rickf]

And THERE we have it, the info that was requested. Thanks Rossco. Louie, you would have been the perfect candidate for this test considering you spend most of your time underwater and mud but you weren't around when this all started. Hopefully the manufacturer follows through with these. Preferably in black.

[m3a1]

PM sent to Lou

[Rossco]

Hi all

Agree the yellow examples are a bit over to top on the front end of a military vehicle and black is certainly the way to go!
These are certainly nicely made and very durable compared to the rubber versions we currently live with.

Note: The poly boot shop front/site on Ebay is not currently showing listings on account of the Covid19 problems the world is working through at present. This could be the reason it has been difficult to make contact with Atanas recently?

Rossco

[m3a1]

Gents, this is 12Bravo's business and he is in the driver's seat on the matter. He is VERY busy with other things at the moment, I can assure you of that.

I encourage everyone to take a VERY long pause and allow 12Bravo the time needed to follow up with the manufacturer.

I would also encourage everyone to keep their fingers completely out of this pot until he completes that task.

That would include not pestering the manufacturer and making a bunch of inquiries on a product that we know has not yet reached its final phase of production.

There is a possibility that this will be resolved to everyone's satisfaction....a possibility that will IMPROVE if everyone just backs off the matter for a little while.

Be patient.

Let the system work.

Cheers,
TJ

[Lou]

Would like to thank everyone for the PM's and the helpful information stated here and in the PM's.

I am in no rush, owned the mutt since 2004 and have only gone through 2 sets of 4 ! My uppers are now greasable ball joints and they have held up. It would be nice to keep the grease in and the water out though.

So will patiently wait until these are available, worth waiting for in my opinion.

[acudanut]

Interesting topic. All my dust boots are shot !!

[m75]

Yes, disappointing to see my recently-installed boots already breaking up.

[Lou]

Yes, disappointing to see my recently-installed boots already breaking up.

Same issue here. NOS rubber is dried up before we even install them.

[whiterabbit]

Me here staring at a pile of new ball joints knowing I don't want to do the job twice when the boots s**t the bed after I put them on.....