split axle boots

[acurtis]

I'm in the midst of replacing two of my axle boots with the split boot kits ( from SAV), and running into some troubles. I got the larger end of the boot attached and hose clamped in, but the smaller end is fighting me. The original hose clamp is just not quite long enough to reach- I'm not sure if I don't have the boot in the right spot on the axle, i.e. should it sit right where the original was on the axle or should it be further out or in ( there is a hump on the axle- not sure if I should be inside, outside or directly on it) or do I just need a longer hose clamp.

[rmel]

There's a bit of a lip on the Diff side but I don't recall on on the axle side.
Not sure the attached PIX helps or not and if you have it already. I don't
recall having any difficulty when I replaced one of mine.

Split Boot Installation.jpeg (780.77 KiB) Viewed 7748 times

[acurtis]

Thanks rmel,
Interesting diagram, I got the boots on with a little help form a heat gun to soften up the boots. I followed your diagram, and I understand the idea of the screws being at 3 o'clock, so the axle doesn't bind on them, but i'm wondering why they face forward on one side and backward on the other side.

[4x4Pinz]

take a good look at the axle housing. One side is straight and the other has an offset. keep the bolts on the straight side. I don't bother remembering which is which just look at the housing. the offset is due to the interior of the differential. the swing axle design has the axles setup so as not to be in line with each other. An oddity of the pinz drive train is that the axles are offset from each side I don't recall the exact measurement but I think it is about 1.5"

[rmel]

Curious what others experiences are with the Split Axle Boots.
It is certainly far more convenient to install then pulling Axles,
especially the front Diff.

BUT! I noticed that on both my trucks, each of which have a Split
boot on the Front Left Axle, have developed a crack just above
the bolted seam and now need to be replaced AGAIN. This crack
was not obvious and the bottom area still looks brand new, I just
happened to look above the seam and noticed the cracks. And it
does look like a high stress, limited flex area.

One boot was on the 710 for only 2 years the other on the 712
for 6 years. But both clocked nearly 10,000 miles. And yes, they
are installed correctly.

If your using this style of replacement boot you might want to
inspect them in the upper area. They are pretty important in
keeping dirt and water out of the housing.