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What can cause axle boots to become defective and how can this be recognized?
The drive shaft is divided into several sections, as it must adapt to the movement of the wheels. The individual struts are connected to each other via drive shaft joints. Generally, these are ball bearings pressed into their corresponding counterpart. You can compare this with the joints in humans. As in humans, the drive shaft joints are greased to prevent friction. To maintain lubrication, the joints are protected by driveshaft boots. Likewise, the driveshaft boot prevents dirt and moisture from entering. This would otherwise result in the joints losing their lubrication, rubbing against each other and possibly starting to rust. This would cause them to wear out more quickly.
The axle boot is subject to natural wear due to its constant movement and external influences. Too cold temperatures can cause the propeller shaft boot to become porous. In addition, chemicals such as road salt also attack the material. Dirt can also wear down the material over time. Last but not least, the drive shaft dust boots are also popular targets for martens. Due to the constant stresses, the material eventually gives way and the bellows can tear or be damaged by the marten. Apart from the fact that dirt and moisture then reach the drive joints, the grease also leaks from the lubrication system. This not only pollutes the environment, but can also get between the brake disc and the brake lining, thus impairing the braking effect. For this reason, intact axle boots are also a criterion for passing the general inspection.
It is not advisable to continue driving for long with a defective dust boot on the drive shaft. This only risks unnecessarily greater consequential damage such as a damaged drive shaft or drive joints. A defective drive shaft boot is indicated by the following symptoms:
- It cracks, rattles, or crunches when going into a turn
- On a straight road, a "thump" can be felt on the steering wheel as the defective bellows hits the drive shaft while rotating
If you suspect that the dust boot on the drive shaft is defective, you can perform a visual inspection. To do this, it is advisable to put the vehicle on a lifting platform or drive over a pit, as you need to be under the vehicle. Cracks or porous spots on the propeller shaft boot, as well as leaking grease, are clear indicators of a defective axle boot. The boot should then be replaced. Patching and repairing damaged areas will only help for a short time. A replacement is unavoidable in the near future. Therefore, it is better to replace directly instead of risking consequential damage. It makes sense to check all axle boots, as they wear comparably. If one is defective, it is not uncommon for others to be affected as well.
Replacing a dust boot on the drive shaft is more or less time-consuming, depending on where it is located. On the wheel side it is quicker, but on the transmission side it takes more time, since the drive shaft generally has to be completely dismantled. In addition, a high level of expertise and special tools are required here.
What to consider when buying axle boots?
If you want to buy an axle boot, the first thing you should decide is what material the boot should be made of. Plastic is more durable and resilient than rubber boots but more difficult to install because the material is not quite as soft as the rubber compounds. In addition, it is important to clarify in advance on which side of the drive shaft (wheel side or gearbox side) the propshaft boot should be replaced.
Since the drive shaft boots differ in size and shape, it is recommended to select his vehicle in advance. This reduces the results to only suitable for the vehicle. In addition to the vehicle-specific axle boots, we also carry universal boots. These can be easily cut to the required size. They are suitable for all common vehicles.
When you buy axle boots from us you can be sure of high quality. We offer propeller shaft boots from the following brand manufacturers:
- Febi Bilstein
- Herth+Buss
- Ruville
- SKF
- Spidan
- Zuffenhausen Parts
All these manufacturers use selected materials that make the bellows more resistant. Thus, they do not wear out so quickly and do not need to be changed again for a long time. If the drive shaft joints are already damaged with, you can also get ready-made joint sets from us. If you are unsure which axle boot or joint sets to buy, you are welcome to contact our customer service with the 17-digit chassis number.
