Rockford 3 pleat vs. Rockford 4 pleat. CV boots.

[a57oval]

Hi all,
Subaru 2.5 swap with Subarugears 5 speed. 2WD.

Installed 4 "Three pleat" Rockford boots bought from Chris at T3 along with new 944 joints. Clamped them 3/4 inch closer to the joint due to their short length. Took off on a trip. At the 800 mile mark all 4 were torn at the boot flange (large end).

I wanted to purchase the Rockford 4 pleat boots from Chris at T3 but he has informed me that he is seeing those fail at the small end of the boot.

Does anyone have experience with Rockford 4 pleat CV boots? Part number 339-22 or 339-4. How many miles on them? any tears, failures, issues.
Did a search but found very little info on mileage. i did notice 2 people saying their 3 pleat boots failed but they don't mention mileage.

Thanks for all input,
Peter

[bluebus86]

[Scubavw]

I go through Rockford boots about every 6,000 or less. I have tried to clamp, or no clamp but they still tear. My van sits at 19 1/2 inches from center hub to fender lip so kinda normal theses day's for a Syncro. I will say I have had better luck with the cheeper China made boots, they just seem a little softer and flexible than the beefy Rockford boots.

Just my two cents.

[a57oval]

Thanks for the replies.
ScubaVW : I noticed that when I installed the 3 pleat boots they were very stiff.
The cheap Chinese boots (Beck/Arnely) are far more pliable and lasted a whole 15,000 miles before tearing at the small ends.

I have ordered the 4 pleat version that Rockford says is for my application. We shall see.

Has anyone tried, dare i say it, this EMPI boot?

https://www.amazon.com/Empi-86-9303D-CV-Boot-Kit/dp/B000IY86G8

There have been a few people that say it actually works but would like more input.
Getting really tired of doing boot swaps and cleaning joints.
Peter

[bsrad]

[shagginwagon83]

Clamps required Zip ties will ride up on the joint. These were like 1-3k old

I'd recommend 4 pleat because that is 'enough' boot to grab the ridges on the axle - so you can clamp the boot.

_________________
Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[a57oval]

Shagginwagon83 ;
That is exactly how my 3 pleat Rockford's failed. Only my failed in 800 miles. They were clamped with the Oetiker clamps in a similar position to yours.
Do you have the 4 pleat version installed? How many miles? No issues I hope. I ordered the 4 pleat version from VanCafe but because of my stellar 100% failure rate with CV boots, I am concerned.
Peter

[a57oval]

Bsrad: Which Rockford's did you switch out at 13,400 miles? Why did you switch them? Why did you go back to Rockford's Which ones did you go back to?
I too have used Lobro's. Fail!
Peter

[Syncronoid]

Call Burley, he can get you the ones that work for me on my 930's.
_________________
'90 Syncro Westy w/GW2.5L

[Sodo]

Here's pic of one Rockford boot 339-4 at about 25,000 mi.
This is at the transaxle end, and "weight-on-wheels", Syncro 19.5" high.
Curious rubbing at the big pleat....
Squeezing the boot, it does not feel inflated or full.

That can't feel so good walking around like that, but it kinda looks like its self-lubricating.

_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[mrshrimp]

[Squidfish]

Has anyone tried "treating" their boots with something like 303 regularly?
_________________
1985.5 - Vanagon Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg Edition - LH8U - "Penny"
- 2.6i 5-Cylinder 10v (2004)

[mrshrimp]

Is that a conditioner?

[CanStan]

[CanStan]

[Steve M.]

I think one thing to try is a boot for the boot.

I just ordered some motorcycle tire tubes from Amazon. Unfortunately they will not arrive until the end of the month.

I've got two thoughts on this. I can cut the tube into sections and slip them over the CV Boots or I can slip them down onto the axle and wrap them around the axle to have them secured to use as an emergency boot for when the CV Boot fails.
Of course, I could do both options. I think using them as an emergency boot is the greatest value.

Here's the links to the Amazon pages:
for the 108mm CV Joint, the Syncro 16 rear CV's:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Y7LMFZZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

the 98mm Syncro 16 CV's:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CQ15NA2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[mrshrimp]

I just ordered some GKN/Lobro I found onlineto compare to the rockfords. They were only $12 so just ordered them. Going to do side by side comparison of Lobro and Rockford, and probably install one on each side of van to analysis.

Theres a vendor in town that carries a lot of EMPI stuff, sold me a rear syncro axle year ago. Its been the most dependable and durable axle and boots I think I've had. Going to take one of these front outer boots in there and see if they have an EMPI model that would work.

These axle issues are the most annoying unnecessary maintenance items on the vanagon in my opinion. Especially a lifted syncro. I just replaced the OEM boots on my 2005 jetta that has 150k on it. My 2008 subaru need replacement at 120k. We are not even getting close to that from what i have observed.

Also think the cause of a high percentage of CV fails are due to torn boot that causes contamination, not necessarily the joint failing itself. We'll see, just hoping to get more miles out of the round of replacements.

[4Gears4Tires]

[Squidfish]

In whitewater and sea kayaking (cold water), those who wear a drysuit have heavy gauge rubber gaskets on wrists and neck, these items wear extremely quickly (1 year usually) with regular use. Treating them with 303 keeps the gaskets supple and makes them last A LOT longer; hence my thought process with treating the boots.

Worth a shot it seems. I can't see any negative effect to 303 on the rubber.
_________________
1985.5 - Vanagon Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg Edition - LH8U - "Penny"
- 2.6i 5-Cylinder 10v (2004)

[Jake de Villiers]

What about Alika's silicone boots? Is he still making them?
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com