Hopefully the end of the BS: Silicone Boots & Bellows

insyncro · Last edited by insyncro on Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:22 am; edited 1 time in total

Volks,
I am contacted on a regular basis to test new and improved parts for the Vanagon and Vanagon Syncro.

With a little reading one will find that CV boots and assorted other boots and bellows are not holding up for the long haul.

Alika, my friend in HI, sent me these with the message "a gift for you".

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

The grey are his new silicone power steering rack boots.
The black are stock VW boots.

Very supple, extremely strong and perfectly sized for easy installation.

I am currently testing these PS rack boots on my personal Syncro Westy and have not had any issues thus far and will keep reporting back.
The pinch clamps shown here have not been used and only zip ties secure the boots in place as I am check them both on the inside and outside regularly.

This post is to inform people that Alika is working on these upgraded parts and I hope that each of you will use the poll attached to show that you are interested in more boots and bellows being reproduced for our vans.
I do not gain anything from this post, except the satisfaction of helping out a cool Dude and fellow Syncro lover.

Please reply to this thread with constructive comments for Alika and his efforts.

Expect pricing of the silicone PS boots to be at or slightly above the stock rubber parts.

Thanks, enjoy.

Contact info below:

ALIKA T3 - http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=194503

Steve Arndt · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:33 am Post subject:

I'm very interested in the CV boots. I go through T2/T4/944 Porsche boots quickly on my baja bug running at high angularity. The new style rubber just falls apart after a year.

There is a market for 930 boots of improved material as well.

phlogiston · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:43 am Post subject:

wow, what a great idea and a cool project. i'd buy 'em for sure (probably in a few months when the "brand new" CV boots crack on my syncro).

i'd love to see some shots of how the molds are made.

insyncro · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:47 am Post subject:

Hi Steve,
I saw your like on FB before this, glad to see this thread is making its way around the interweb.

Yes, CV boots were the first feedback, slash, demand I offered up for Alika. Laughing

Stock sized and 930 are a much needed upgrade from current offerings.

After just bouncing a few ideas past Alika, the flange connection will be a large part of what will be produced...SO, hold on to all of those failed boots as the metal attachment flange may be needed to be supplied by the Van owner.

All of what I am saying has been discussed via pmail and now out here in the open for further comments.

Please remember pricing will be a concern as well as supply.

Looking forward to MORE BOOTS & BELLOWS Exclamation

insyncro · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:48 am Post subject:

Not sure about the molds as I have not personally seen them, just the finished product from them Wink

rubbachicken · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:02 am Post subject:

a very big like from me.
what is the pricing going to be.
what about ball joint boots ? i see many many split ball joint boots
Cool

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insyncro · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:15 am Post subject:

Howdy Rubba,
No plan for ball joint boots, but that is why I posted this thread.
All ideas are welcomed.
I know CV boots are the #1 I am pulling for next, but transmission shifter bellows, linkage bellows and ball joint boots would be warmly welcomed I'm sure.

photogdave · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:18 am Post subject:

I would be interested in all: Stock CV boot replacement; PS rack boots and ball joint boots. All have failed on me at some point in the last three years.
Thanks guys! Cool

EDIT: I would put the word Silicone in the thread title. I almost missed it.
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insyncro · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 11:24 am Post subject:

Title amended, thanks Photo.

Yes, all of what we are talking about here are Silicone Boots and Bellows to replace the rubber versions that seem to be failing at alarmingly short service intervals.

Rocky Mountain Westy

insyncro · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Mike,
I will snap pics of them installed at the next inspection.
Just putting miles on them right now.

hdenter · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:28 pm Post subject:

I couldn't get into the poll, but I would gladly purchase these if they last longer than the crap rubber ones!

Hans
_________________
'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

insyncro · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:34 pm Post subject:

VWfanatic_SA · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 2:31 pm Post subject:

Hi Alika, are there any plans for 108mm CV boots?

I am running 930 rear CVs and use the Empi 86-9300-D boots on the inners and have not had any issues but since they are not tapered like the OEM boots, they tend to touch the stub axle housing in the back. Especially if the bus is lifted quite high like mine is. It would be great to get a good quality alternative for the OEM boot. The chinese cr@p we get here in SA doesn't last 1000km.

Kombi Dad · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 2:41 pm Post subject:

I have an '82 that is sitting at the height of a syncro. It chews through the boots fairly often so any improvement would be worthwhile.

Merian · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:02 pm Post subject:

highaltidude · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:28 pm Post subject:

I'd be interested in stock CV boots.....

Chuck
_________________
66 Double Cab
83 Vanagon Westfalia, Vanistan'd

Luckyphil · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:48 pm Post subject:

Hey guys hope there is enough to go around as your brothers down under will jump on these. What colours will be produced. Keep the good stuff coming.

chazz79 · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:54 pm Post subject:

The cv boots would be his best bang for the buck by being backwards comparable to '68.

I just replaced some three year old boots with 2000 miles on them. They were rotten already and torn. The boots I put on are sure to crap out in another three years max. I'd gladly pay more for the boots if I knew they'd last.
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syncrodoka · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 5:11 pm Post subject:

Good to have another alternative.
Would be interested in knowing how they handle the cold of the east coast, humidity of the south, heat of AZ and the rains of the PNW in the long term.
VC does partnerships with smaller vendors that could be beneficial.


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Hopefully the end of the BS: Silicone Boots & Bellows
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