Axle boot leaking

[djcvw]

Need some tips to try or things to look for.

I've now changed my axle boot three times and there's still a leak. I'm getting a leak from the drivers side rear axle boot. The passenger's side is sealed tight.

I'm using the split boot, and I've tried using the stock style clamps, screw clamps, keeping the clamps loose, slacking the clamps, tightening down the little screws, leaving them just snug, still drips with car just sitting in the garage.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Snort]

Elevate the side of the car you're working on to keep oil from flowing out.

Remove the boot, clean everything with solvent, finish up with a no residue solution such as brake cleaner.

Use a thin coat of gasket sealant of your choice. When tightening the clamps have the axle as level as possible by having the weight of the car on the wheel. Secure the transmission side first. When tightening the axle side, push it towards the transmission slightly to make sure it has enough flex when the axle moves up and down.

If you have some planned engine work coming up, give some serious thought to pulling the transaxle and installing solid boots. It's a lot of work but well worth the effort if you plan on keeping your car for a long time.

[djcvw]

@ Snort - thanks for the suggestions. Much appreciated! I'll give it a shot and see what happens. I have the body off, doing a resto, and may look at the extra effort to install the solid boots.

[D. Haviland]

definitely go with solid boots. I find that split boots last about 2 years. i change each side every other years on my 56. My zwitter has had solid boots for six years.

[ZENVWDRIVER]

... ho ho ho, I don't know about the split boots lasting only 2 years... were on my '52 bug for 20 years and on my single cab for 18... they work great... get good quality German ones and don't forget to make sure the seam is at 10 or 2 o'clock,,, never strait up.
_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[russ c]

ZEN VW IS CORRECT!

[djcvw]

Update:

I decided to stick with the easier split boot repair. Followed Snort's suggestions and this time set the screws at 2 o'clock instead of 10. Waited until the next day and still found it leaking. Tightened down the narrow end a little more and it seemed to fix the leak. I really think the trick was the gasket sealer, and the fine line between tight and too tight.