TheSamba.com :: View topic - VW Tiguan CV Boot option ......... 2wd non-lifted

Tue Dec 08, 2020 8:16 am

djkeev wrote: I really like this Tiquan boot concept.

I've ordered two genuine VAG boots and two GKN boots.

These are going on a standard height 2 wd GL unit.

I'll do one brand on each side.

I ordered them from FCP for they say they warranty EVERYTHING they sell.

If failure should happen? I'll be keeping a copy of the paper work handy! 🤷‍♂️😂

Dave

I've done business with FCP and the lifetime return policy is a good one. You just need the order number. Returns are managed online. Return shipping is on you. They will issue a credit once the part has been returned and inspected.

Wed Dec 23, 2020 11:29 am

My box from FCP arrived last night!

Merry Christmas!

Inside were my Tiquan axle boots.

I ordered two of the genuine VW boot kit VAG-2Q0498202
And
Two of the GKN/Lobro boot kits GKN-304203

The VW boots cost significantly more.

I opened the boxes and the boot design is radically different!

The VW boot is one set of Bellows while the GKN has two distinct sizes as it approaches the axle shaft.

The GKN comes with new Hex head bolts, grease, gasket and wheel nut.

The VW kit just has the boot, gasket clamp and snap ring.

The texture varies remarkably!

The GKN is very stiff, so stiff you almost wonder how it will survive a life of spinning rapidly for years and years.

The VW is much softer, but still a fairly stiff feel.

Both boots are a plastic compound, not rubber like you expect and are used to Vanagon boots being.

I have a genuine VW axle boot and even in it's old age it is still way softer and more pliable than any one of these two new ones!
Here Grandpa sits between the "young-uns".
All three have the same bolt pattern and sit at the same height. !

The only markings on the GKN boot is a molded in time stamp.

I took photos of the markings on the VW boot........

And the label attached to it.....

I'm going to install one set on each axle and see how it goes.

Dave

Wed Dec 23, 2020 12:31 pm

If the original CV boot has no cracks or tears I'd clean it up, coat in 303 and run it too. :D

Wed Dec 23, 2020 12:38 pm

Thanks so much for the comparison. Very interesting and helpful! Thanks for posting it.

Wed Dec 23, 2020 3:31 pm

Those GNK boots have some engineering in them. The big step in the boot was not an accident. I have no idea why.

Wed Dec 23, 2020 3:50 pm

AtlasShrugged wrote: Those GNK boots have some engineering in them. The big step in the boot was not an accident. I have no idea why.

It may be in some applications they provide needed clearance.

Wed Dec 23, 2020 3:53 pm

AtlasShrugged wrote: Those GNK boots have some engineering in them. The big step in the boot was not an accident. I have no idea why.

That`s to have less stress between the pleats at higher angle I believe. These boots are not meant to ride at the same angles our vans see, but I still have to test them and measure things, I didn`t have the time. DJkeev beat me to it, at least at the picture posting :lol:

I got a 3rd boot too, a cheap copy I mentioned earlier.

I will report back, probably after the war :?

Sun Feb 28, 2021 2:43 pm

I finally got around to assembling my axles with the Tiquan boots.

This is going to be a 12 month 365 daily driver so the miles should rack up on it.

On the left axle I installed the Genuine VW Boots.

On the Right Axle I installed the Lobro Boots.

Initial impression?
I like the VW boots, they are softer, more pliable and they really hug the axle shaft snuggly.

The Lobro boots are very stiff. While they fit the axle shaft, I wouldn't say they wrre in any way snug.

I'll be clamping the Lobro boots for sure!

Both brands came with axle clamps and axle snap rings.

Here are both snap rings on edge. The VW is on the right. Lobro on the left is about 1/2 the thickness and rounded.

The snap rings with the VW boots are thick just like the Vanagon snap rings.

The Lobro snap rings are almost like a bent wire, very thin. I reused my Vanagon snap rings on the Lobro axle.

Both kits included the convex washers which I did not use.

I figure these boots have got to be tough!
They not only need to flex vertically but on the Tiguan they need to flex left and right while flexing vertically.

Dave

Thu May 06, 2021 6:54 pm

Any updates? I know that most of the installations discussed here are relatively recent, but I have two outer Rockford boots that have failed and need to decide on my next boot installation. Thanks!

Thu May 06, 2021 10:46 pm

I'm only 2,500 miles in. There are no problems with either brand of boots.

But given my choice?
Get the official VW boot. It just seems like a better product because of initial fit and flexibility.

Dave

Fri May 07, 2021 1:47 pm

I'm 8 months in and a few thousand KMs, no sign of wear. They still look new. These are the VW branded ones.

Fri May 07, 2021 10:23 pm

I just put a set of Rockford boots on my van, I'm hoping the reports I'm seeing of premature failures were from a bad batch or something. Only time will tell I suppose. Thanks for the updates on the long term wear of the Tiguan boots. If my Rockfords fail any time soon, I'll be looking into the Tiguans for sure!

Sun May 09, 2021 7:26 am

mdub wrote: I just put a set of Rockford boots on my van, I'm hoping the reports I'm seeing of premature failures were from a bad batch or something. Only time will tell I suppose. Thanks for the updates on the long term wear of the Tiguan boots. If my Rockfords fail any time soon, I'll be looking into the Tiguans for sure!

Make sure you clamp your Rockford boots, as Christopher at T3 recommends in this post:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679378&highlight=rockford+clamps

My Rockfords definitely failed as Christopher describes.

Sun May 09, 2021 10:47 am

Does anyone know what year Tiguan and what position this boot fits? I’m not finding the boot by the part number posted.

Sun May 09, 2021 10:58 am

Just a note, there is a thread dedicated to the broad spectrum of Vanagon axle boots, it is found in this link.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Dave

Sun May 09, 2021 2:19 pm

CessnaJon wrote: Does anyone know what year Tiguan and what position this boot fits? I’m not finding the boot by the part number posted.

Hm, looking on parts.vw.com, and it looks like it has been discontinued :x When I was looking for this originally, it was 2016-2017 model years. The site now lists a part number 1K0598203. I have no idea if it's the same thing, but it is more expensive.

However, they do seem to be available at other sources. For example https://www.vwpartsnowonline.com/oem-parts/volkswagen-inner-boot-1k0498201

Mon May 10, 2021 9:32 am

Quote: Make sure you clamp your Rockford boots, as Christopher at T3 recommends in this post:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679378&highlight=rockford+clamps

My Rockfords definitely failed as Christopher describes.

Curiously enough, I bought my boots from Buslab, and they specifically recommended NOT clamping them, and didn’t include a clamp with their boot and hardware kit. I added a zip tie on each anyways after reading other boot failure threads.

Mon May 10, 2021 10:46 am

Christopholi wrote: CessnaJon wrote: Does anyone know what year Tiguan and what position this boot fits? I’m not finding the boot by the part number posted.

Hm, looking on parts.vw.com, and it looks like it has been discontinued :x When I was looking for this originally, it was 2016-2017 model years. The site now lists a part number 1K0598203. I have no idea if it's the same thing, but it is more expensive.

However, they do seem to be available at other sources. For example https://www.vwpartsnowonline.com/oem-parts/volkswagen-inner-boot-1k0498201

I think it is reasonable to believe that VW may be having supply problems because of COVID and more recently the Ever Given and thus is saving their best quality rubber and plastic for their new vehicle production and that what gets sold for repair purposes may not meet their previous standards. People need to be wary of any product that has been produced over the last 12 months or so.

Mon May 10, 2021 1:15 pm

mdub wrote: Quote: Make sure you clamp your Rockford boots, as Christopher at T3 recommends in this post:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679378&highlight=rockford+clamps

My Rockfords definitely failed as Christopher describes.

Curiously enough, I bought my boots from Buslab, and they specifically recommended NOT clamping them, and didn’t include a clamp with their boot and hardware kit. I added a zip tie on each anyways after reading other boot failure threads.

That's been part of the problem. There has been a lot of conflicting advice from knowledgeable people regarding this. I was told not to clamp as well, and also used a zip tie, but failed fast. Others used the clamp, and also failed. I think it has more to do with overall quality issues than clamp or no clamp - at least with this particular production run.

Tue May 11, 2021 11:41 am

As it relates to clamping the small end of the boot. When the boots were "Autobahn" oe boots, you did not need to clamp them and it was actually better to not clamp them.

Fast forward to today, and this is what a supposed quality boot does without a clamp just sitting in the parking lot. Shame Shame.