Who makes the best hub boot?

[Jeepsinker]

I'm certain that you are correct.

 

[m715mike]

I replaced the front axel boots on my truck a couple months back. The replacement boots came from Rockwelloffroad.com. (Note I believe that Rock6x6 is a vendor on this site and sells his products through Rockwelloffroad.com.)

According to the gentleman that sold me the boots, Rockwelloffroad redesigned their front axel boots in early 2015. The new design is easier to install and is made with much thicker material. I can testify to this since I initially tried installing their old boots, which tore in my hand during installation. We'll see how the new boots stand-up to the test of time.



There are more details here:
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...to-your-deuce-this-week&p=1776251#post1776251

 

[Jeepsinker]

Well those are what I will buy next time I have to buy boots. I grow weary of changing boots every few months. The longest lasting one I've had only lasted about 9 months, and it was a late manufacture Newstar. As you know, time and dry rot don't get mine, its use that gets them, and my truck doesn't even really leave pavement so sticks tearing them isn't the issue either.

 

[maa45069]

I am really sorry to bring up an old post but I am curious what you guys have to report about the last set of boots you report from Rockwell?

 

[gringeltaube]

I am really sorry to bring up an old post....

That's all right. It might be an old thread but it is a very valid question, still today.

(I just updated the title a bit...)



G.

 

[Menaces Nemesis]

Sorry, not from Rockwell, but... One of mine developed a tiny hole (that you could hardly fit a canteloupe through) so I replaced them in July, with a pair of the zip-up jobs from www.eriksmilitarysurplus.com. My truck is a daily driver, and gets about 6,000 miles a year. The boots from Erik's seemed to be pretty stout when I installed them. So far no issues.

 

[Tracer]

Got 2 years (4500mi) out of the last pair. Soon as the weather warms up a bit I'll install these. For what it's worth, I noticed the boots with the gold zipper looked to be better quality, and lasted longer than boots with the silver zipper.

 

[m715mike]

I am really sorry to bring up an old post but I am curious what you guys have to report about the last set of boots you report from Rockwell?

No apologies necessary. Thanks for asking the question. I got about 2 years (less than 1,500 miles) out of my passenger side boot from Rockwell (from late 2015 to August 2017). I went in deep water following Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. Afterwards, I found a ~3" slit in the passenger side boot and a mix of water and grease inside. I believe my driver's side boot is still good.

View attachment 714801 Got 2 years (4500mi) out of the last pair. Soon as the weather warms up a bit I'll install these. For what it's worth, I noticed the boots with the gold zipper looked to be better quality, and lasted longer than boots with the silver zipper.

Tracer - Where did you get the Newstar zipper boots?

 

[maa45069]

That is awesome and very good to know. I too am very interested in the gold zipper new star boots

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[Menaces Nemesis]

The ones I got from Erik's have the gold zippers, and I believe they're NewStar brand. As stated, so far no issues (about 3,000 mi/6 months in). From the posts I've seen, it really does seem like there was a turning point in quality, for the better, a few years back.

 

[Tracer]

No apologies necessary. Thanks for asking the question. I got about 2 years (less than 1,500 miles) out of my passenger side boot from Rockwell (from late 2015 to August 2017). I went in deep water following Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. Afterwards, I found a ~3" slit in the passenger side boot and a mix of water and grease inside. I believe my driver's side boot is still good.




Tracer - Where did you get the Newstar zipper boots?

Mike, I picked up this pair on e-bay. The seller has free shipping, so that puts him at a competitive price with the sellers who charge for shipping. New Star Part # S-16901, replacement for: 7410883G. PS There are no clamps with these.

 

[cattlerepairman]

I actually thought I had posted this in this thread, but....

I used the boots from www.rockwelloffroad.com

I am not affiliated but their heavy-duty boots are made a tad larger than the originals, they go on super easy (I can attest to that) and the material appears sturdy. Colour choices, too, for playful people like me. I like orange.

 

[maa45069]

I actually thought I had posted this in this thread, but....

I used the boots from www.rockwelloffroad.com

I am not affiliated but their heavy-duty boots are made a tad larger than the originals, they go on super easy (I can attest to that) and the material appears sturdy. Colour choices, too, for playful people like me. I like orange.

So how long ago did you replace yours and how many miles did you get out of them and can you take a picture of what they look like now please ?

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[cattlerepairman]

Here is the web site with all the info: http://www.rockwelloffroad.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=76

I replaced them not too long ago (August) but I had the luxury of comparing them with a pair of NewStar silver zipper boots I have had unopened for about 8 years (they were already broken), a pair of NewStar Gold zipper boots I have had unopened for about five years (they also ripped with little manipulation) and the original military boots I took off. The latter were still mostly ok, just old and leaked around the zipper.

The thick but flexible material of the rockwelloffroad boots feels sturdy. I had no problem whatsoever putting them on. There is a little video on YouTube that they made that shows these very boots being installed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlgyRl__LXk

 

[m715mike]

First, I want to say thank you to texas30cal for spending his entire Saturday yesterday helping me change axel boots. I greatly appreciate the use of his shop and all of the help he's given me. Thank you!


As mentioned in a previous post, I got two years out of my front axel boots from Rockwelloffroad. The passenger side boot had two holes (one ~3 inches in length and a second only half an inch long). The driver's side boot was still in good shape, but it got changed anyway.

The boots were replaced with new ones from Rockwelloffroad. The new boots appear to be made of quality material and went on easily.

Pictured below is the old passenger side boot.

 

[66m35a26x6]

Ya rockwelloffroad.com
makes a great boot cant go wrong on it
wouldnt go anywere ells for them.....

 

[rustystud]

Ya rockwelloffroad.com
makes a great boot cant go wrong on it
wouldnt go anywere ells for them.....

Just received two pairs last week. Great quality items ! Will be replacing both of mine this summer.

 

[maa45069]

So are you replacing the axle boots only or the entire kit for $239?

 

[texas30cal]

They have several kits, that $239 kit is for 2 steer axles. I believe that mike just got the boots and clamps from them.

 

[BEASTMASTER]

I replaced my driver side boot about 12 years ago and 8k miles and it still intac. and doing well. I did the pass. side about ten yrs ago and it has just let me down. I bought a couple new ones from someone close by and had a heck of a time getting one on. come to realize that the zipper was sewn on the wrong side of the boot. the ones that wore the best were from Memphis equip, and that's where I will get mine from now on.