front axle boot HELP!!!!

[seabeeut]

OK I give I read the TM and the threads I found here is there any trick to getting the boot and clamp on the knuckle?? short of three guys and six hands I dont see it the TM says one man job what I am I missing

 

[davey8943]

Seabeeut,

I always have to have "soldier B" (better known as my gorgeous wife... ) help out. She usually responds with "Didn't we JUST do that a month ago?!?!?"

One person can hold the 3 and 8 o'clock positions, while the other holds 12 o'clock and tightens the clamp.

It really is a PITA, but you'll get there!

Dave

 

[swbradley1]

If you want to do it by yourself you might try putting a piece of string to hold the two ends close together or a pair vice grip pliers. The needle nose type might work.

Or do what CARNAC does, has Gimpy and Doghead do it.

 

[doghead]

Yeah, and be sure to have a third person there to get you a cold beer and hand you clean papertowels!

thanks SW

 

[m-35tom]

i have always found it to be pretty easy. just be sure to clean ALL the grease, oil and stuff off first. really clean and dry makes it really easy.
tom

 

[JCKnife]

Spring clamps did it for me.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Yeah, and be sure to have a third person there to get you a cold beer and hand you clean papertowels!

thanks SW

THIS! It certainly worked for us at Ga rally.

 

[seabeeut]

Spring clamps did it for me.

had no spring clamps but three well placed vice grips gave me the extra I needed.
the thrid is not seen but is a smaller needle nose to pull the rubber in the back.
before I do the other side in the spring I will replace the philps head with stainless steel allen head PITA to get everything in alignment then try to push the screw driver and tourge at the same time.
That all said time for BEER thirty

 

[swbradley1]

What? You weren't drinking the whole time you were doing it? See above post from DH. He forgot, I had to go get brake clean as well.

You even did it the easy way, took the wheel off.........

 

[Seth_O]

I didn't think to use vice grips () but instead cleaned the groove REALLY well with brake cleaner, put the boot on and tightened a wee bit at a time. Checking VERY frequently all the around and sliding it back into position when it had started to come out. It took time but worked just fine. I also applied a small amount of RTV to the groove and let it dry to just tacky before putting the boot on.

 

[DUG]

The boot and groove need to be super clean, as others have mentioned. Then it's no big deal.

 

[seabeeut]

The boot and groove need to be super clean, as others have mentioned. Then it's no big deal.

I cleaned that grove till it was virgin thinking it might help if the rubber is warm not in the thirtys , still think it's PITA

 

[rlwm211]

The trick for me was to do the cleaning as is mentioned here and then to have the clamp just loose enough so the boot has to compress slightly as you slide the clamp on. I am saying that the clamp should have to be puished on slightly with tension on the clamp as the boot is seated with the clamp.

By having the clamp barely loose enough to go on over the boot this will hold the clamp and boot in place until you tighten the clamp.

Be sure to point the clamp tension adjustment in the direction shown in the manual.

When I first did one, I messed around for an hour until I saw that this would work and was probably the only way to do it alone.

Once I saw how this did work I would not have any problem now in getting the boot on and the clamps tight without fighting the installation like I did the first time.

Hope this helps

RL

 

[clinto]

OK I give I read the TM and the threads I found here is there any trick to getting the boot and clamp on the knuckle??

Which threads did you read? These the ones you want.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/50809-tips-tricks-zippered-front-knuckle-boots.html#post578724

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/18898-tips-installing-front-axle-boots.html#post192878

 

[Heavysteven]

Clean the grove well then place the clamp on semi tight. Finally, work the boot around with a flat head. That's my technic.