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55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps
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REDRAM
Posted 2009-08-27 7:24 PM (#186505)
Subject: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Veteran

Posts: 166
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Location: Massillon, Ohio USA
Anyone know where to get one? or if something from a newer CV shaft will fit? Mine is torn after 54, almost 55yrs. The old ball and trunion, there was a guy on Ebay selling re-pops but I've yet to hear from him about listing any more.
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d500neil
Posted 2009-08-27 8:14 PM (#186520 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
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Location: bishop, ca
Greg, a couple months ago I was in need of one (eventually got one from a fellow-member of the Forwardlook
website's Daily email mailing-list; you can access it via the Home Page's masthead listing of subjects)...but,
anyway, I called around and neither Atlas Obsolete...... (which, recently has been advertising that boot, along-ONLY with
a complete U-joint O/H kit, for $286.00--iirc)..... nor Kanter had ONLY an individual boot be available--Kanter's
said that it might be "several months (uh huh)" before individual re-popped boots might become available.

Depending upon the age/condition of your car's driveline, I would suggest that you get Atlas' complete-deal
front-and-rear joint O/H kit---pricey, but COMPLETE.

The trick in installing that boot is to press out a hardened steel bearing-rod (forget its technical-name, but, you'll
recognise it); Atlas' kit includes a replacement bearing-rod.

The removal of that bearing-rod makes the installation of the rubber boot mindlessly simple; otherwize, it is said
that you might have to BOIL the boot, to make it become soft enuf to maneuver over-around that bearing-rod.

My trannie shop had no difficulty in pressing out that bearing rod; you may well have to take your driveline to a shop
which has a bearing press, to git-r-dun....

Our drivelines, due to that "trunion joint" front joint, can not be balanced by a driveline shop.

However, that driveline was installed as a bare-metal piece. When you get it out, you can strip/blast/polish it
to bare-shiny metal, and then heavily clear coat it, to preserve its OEM appearance.

Over on one of the last pages of the "What Did You Do to your Car Today" thread, you'll see some pics of my car's
newly-overhauled driveline.

So, even if you do not need, right-now, a complete driveline O/H kit, my suggestion is to go buy one, now, as they are
not getting any cheaper, and, you might well NEED some of those pices in the future, and/or you can use some of those
pieces for/as trading-material.



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REDRAM
Posted 2009-08-28 8:34 AM (#186572 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Veteran

Posts: 166
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Location: Massillon, Ohio USA
Thanks. The guy I was watching on Ebay supposedly makes new ones, but, again I've not heard from him as to when he'll be making more.
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wbower3
Posted 2009-08-28 1:40 PM (#186606 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Walter passed away on Jul 29, 2014. We will miss you, Walt!

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Location: Heaven Above (Formerly Oklahoma City,OK)
Greg, O'Reilly's sells an aftermarket boot for the half-shafts on the frontwheel drive rice-burners, it's a one size fits all and, you cut it to fit. I used them on bothends of my '55 driveshaft. Also Andy Bernbaum had the trunnion shafts (you call it a cross-rod) rebuild kits with the trunnion shaft and the the two balls with needle bearings, for a whole lot less that $286.00.
Check your local independant parts house for this boot number: Dorman Quickboot #314-531. Advance Auto parts may also carry them.

Uncle Walt

Edited by wbower3 2009-08-28 1:42 PM
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d500neil
Posted 2009-08-28 2:54 PM (#186621 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
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Location: bishop, ca
Walt/Greg, as part of my research into the availability of front boots that fit, or can be 'cut-to-fit'; long(very-) story short:
I could find NOTHING that would fit/work with our cars; there, always was some dimension/contour, etc, that would not
work.

Now, Greg, your boot has probably been toast for MANY years, without your being aware of its condition.

The thing is only a DUST boot/seal, not a grease-boot.

Unless you are planning on running your car through a dust storm, soon, I wouldn't be concerned about jury-rigging
your dust boot in the immediate future.

Also, if your front and/or rear driveline joints haven't been overhauled or replaced in the past decade, or so, they probably
could use some sort of servicing.

In the words of Kanter; do it once, and do it right: go swallow your wallet, and/or save up the money, and get the complete
O/H kit and rejuvenate your car's driveline system.

It will thank you for that effort.






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57chizler
Posted 2009-08-28 3:51 PM (#186629 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: RE: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Expert

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Andy Bernbaum sells the boot/clamp separately but some complain that they don't last as long as they should.

http://www.oldmoparts.com/q.htm
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REDRAM
Posted 2009-08-29 9:09 AM (#186736 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Veteran

Posts: 166
1002525
Location: Massillon, Ohio USA
When I got the car 2yrs ago I was under it quite often and the boot was not split, I'm thinking it finally gave out here within the last few trips that were about 80miles from my house. There is a little of what smells like bearing grease inside the boot. I have checked for play at the joints and have none...no sloppy clinking or anything, so I feel the joints will be OK until I decide to swap to a newer driveline. Thanks for the input guys, this site is as always the only one to help with my Forward Look problems.
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1956DeS
Posted 2010-02-24 2:03 PM (#211470 - in reply to #186606)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Elite Veteran

Posts: 774
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Location: Atlanta GA USA
wbower3 - 2009-08-28 1:40 PM

Check your local independant parts house for this boot number: Dorman Quickboot #314-531. Advance Auto parts may also carry them.



I just came from Advance. The #314-531 did not show up but the counter person showed me one for a 2000 Neon. I'll have to do some measuring and look at the one on my rice burner and decide. Will report back what I find but it may be some time.
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1956DeS
Posted 2010-02-24 2:05 PM (#211471 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Elite Veteran

Posts: 774
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Location: Atlanta GA USA
Could this be a *6*14-531? I see them on Amazon.
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DeSotohead
Posted 2010-02-24 2:28 PM (#211472 - in reply to #211471)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Board Moderator

Posts: 3186
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Location: The not-so-great, dirty-white North ( Michigan)
There are TWO size Detroit Ball&Trunnion driveshaft setups.
So you have to watch which size you have.
I have the LARGE (I think they call this the "57" series) in my 56 Adventurer.

I believe the smaller is the "54" series. The kits and boots do not interchange.
Andy Bernbaum sent me the wrong one the first time, but to his credit, he did replace it with the correct larger one.

I will try and get the stud spacing pattern for mine and a small B&T tonight, provided I can find the small one....
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Shep
Posted 2010-02-24 3:33 PM (#211479 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Expert

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Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George)
Just as a side note, I would not press out the pin for the front trunion unless absolutely necessary, if not worn leave it alone, centering it is vey critical and some I have seen are very difficult to get out even with some heat, installing a new boot is not that hard using the method in the shop manuals. BTW I have used the universal small boot kit trimmed it for length and have had no problems with longevity with plenty of driving on 3 cars over 3-5 years, 17.50 from Carquest.

Edited by Shep 2010-02-24 3:36 PM
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1956DeS
Posted 2010-02-24 3:50 PM (#211480 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Elite Veteran

Posts: 774
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Location: Atlanta GA USA
For an '01 Neon...split kind...

https://www.dormanproducts.com/cgi-bin/vm91corp30r/classdtl.p?clt=hw...
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1960fury
Posted 2010-02-24 5:36 PM (#211491 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: RE: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Expert 5K+

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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-Chrysler-Desoto-Dodge-Plymouth...
mQQhashZitem439cbb18ceQQitemZ290392316110QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
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DeSotohead
Posted 2010-02-24 6:08 PM (#211500 - in reply to #211491)
Subject: RE: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Board Moderator

Posts: 3186
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Location: The not-so-great, dirty-white North ( Michigan)
This is the guy I got my LARGE boot from.

Better than the Bernbaum one, which kinda looked like made with regrind rubber.

I can vouch that this is a quality piece
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1956DeS
Posted 2010-02-24 6:42 PM (#211505 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Elite Veteran

Posts: 774
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Location: Atlanta GA USA
Buying one.
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DeSotohead
Posted 2010-02-24 7:00 PM (#211509 - in reply to #211505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Board Moderator

Posts: 3186
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Location: The not-so-great, dirty-white North ( Michigan)
OK...

For the historic record:

The LARGE (Detroit B&T 57) bolt pattern is - X spacing = 2.25", Y spacing = 2.6875"
The SMALL (Detroit B&T 54) bolt pattern is - X spacing = 2.1875", Y spacing = 2.50"

Also, the #57 B&T stud holes in the flange look to be 7/16" diameter
The #54 B&T stud holes look to be 3/8" diameter
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1956DeS
Posted 2010-03-05 7:04 PM (#212632 - in reply to #211491)
Subject: RE: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Elite Veteran

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Location: Atlanta GA USA
1960fury - 2010-02-24 5:36 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-Chrysler-Desoto-Dodge-Plymouth...

Warning, buy this at your own risk.
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57plymouth
Posted 2010-03-05 7:43 PM (#212638 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Expert

Posts: 3577
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Location: Blythewood, SC
Search function is your friend. This has been on my car with ZERO issues for a few thousand miles.

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=16523&...
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DeSotohead
Posted 2010-03-05 7:47 PM (#212640 - in reply to #212632)
Subject: RE: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Board Moderator

Posts: 3186
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Location: The not-so-great, dirty-white North ( Michigan)
1956DeS - 2010-03-05 7:04 PM

1960fury - 2010-02-24 5:36 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mopar-Chrysler-Desoto-Dodge-Plymouth...

Warning, buy this at your own risk.


Bill....

What was wrong? The size, or the quality? I know this one fit my Adventurer, but if you have a Firedome, you have the "54" series Detroit B&T.
I don't know if the Fireflites have the large or the small B&T.
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1956DeS
Posted 2010-03-05 8:40 PM (#212643 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Elite Veteran

Posts: 774
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Location: Atlanta GA USA
The item I got was a shifter boot of some kind. I guess the shipper made a mistake.
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DeSotohead
Posted 2010-03-06 10:25 AM (#212686 - in reply to #212643)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Board Moderator

Posts: 3186
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Location: The not-so-great, dirty-white North ( Michigan)
Sounds like a shipping mistake. I would contact him and get it arranged to have him send another to you, plus an RA to send that one back in the new shipping box......

BTW...I can take some pictures of mine so you know what you should be getting, if you want.
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1956DeS
Posted 2010-03-07 10:35 AM (#212835 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Elite Veteran

Posts: 774
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Location: Atlanta GA USA
Hank, the guy gives refunds (or most likely swaps) in the event of error. I'm told he will pay return postage also. Thanks for the support.
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1956DeS
Posted 2010-03-13 9:39 PM (#213757 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Elite Veteran

Posts: 774
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Location: Atlanta GA USA
Finally got a reply to my message. Wow, I sure didn't expect this!

"I am so sorry. Please send incorrect part to:*********. I will have my
shipper send the correct part immediately. I will pay all shipping. Just
let me know how much you paid to return the wrong part. Again my sincerest
apologies."
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samstrader
Posted 2020-05-19 2:21 PM (#598474 - in reply to #213757)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 443
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Location: Beaumont TX
My drive shaft joints are in excellent condition. These CV joints if lubricated correctly will last almost forever I believe. But I have had torn boots. I tried the Burnbaum boots that you install by slipping under and through the housing and I couldn't ever get them to go through. That didn't work. I bought the split boots and glued them together and they lasted a short while but the material finally got hard and they came all to pieces. I went to my local driveshaft doctor and they can convert the shaft to external cross type u joints for about $750.00. I didn't like this price so I studied some more and found something that really works great.

I bought the Dorman silicone boot that you slip over the whole drive shaft; see picture below. It's one piece and silicone and will last a long time. I didn't believe it would really work but I was amazed when it slipped right on. There are a few tricks to know about before you try and the internet has some videos to watch which will help. I'll list the key points.

1. Get a transmission funnel and cut it down so the big end is just big enough to fit over the end of the drive shaft. Sand it long wise so it is real smooth. I used 0000 steel wool.
2. Turn the boot inside out like the videos show.
3. Grease the funnel and the inside of the boot with Lubriplate 105. Or any oil you like I think. You don't have to use too much grease. When I say grease the inside of the boot, remember that this is really the outside of the boot but the boot is turned inside out.
4. Make sure the outside of the boot is real clean. You want to have a good grip on the boot and not have it slip so clean it so it won't slip in your hands.
5. Stand the drive shaft up on end, put the funnel over the end of the top of the drive shaft and put the boot on the funnel with the big side of the boot pointing down to the floor.
6. Grab the boot and pull down. It will surprise you have fast and easy it slips on. This step will take about 3 seconds. It is amazing.
7. Turn the boot inside out and trim it up and install the clamps. And you are done.

8. This is very important. This silicone boot is not as strong as original boots. One person commented that the boot flew all apart when he used it. These boots are designed for front wheel drive CV joints. On a drive shaft, these boots will spin 4 times faster than they will spin on a front axle, that is if you have a 4 to 1 rear end. So the centrifical force is going to be higher. The instructions say to pack the boot with grease. Don't do this. The original drive shaft boots were not packed with grease. Keep the grease in the housing like the original design and don't load up the new silicone boot with grease. You don't need grease in the boot. This boot is a dust and water cover. If you put a bunch of grease in the boot the weight of the grease will make the boot fail due to centrifical force. I've driven my car 75 MPH and the boot is still perfect. The only shortcoming is that this boot does not have the internal cone that keeps the grease in the housing and out of the boot like an original boot does.

This really worked good. The picture below is what I bought. Got it on Amazon for $16.00 but Oreilly has them for $26.00. They also sell a neoprene boot but I think the silicone will hold up to the elements a lot better. I think my boot will last for years but if it only lasted 1 year, that would be good enough because these are so easy to install.

I hope this helps....



(1111.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments 1111.jpg (149KB - 170 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2020-05-19 3:09 PM (#598479 - in reply to #598474)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps



Expert 5K+

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Sam: You said "There are a few tricks to know about before you try and the internet has some videos to watch which will help."

Could you link us to one or two of the best videos?

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samstrader
Posted 2020-05-21 12:02 PM (#598581 - in reply to #186505)
Subject: Re: 55-56 driveshaft rubber boot & clamps


Extreme Veteran

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Location: Beaumont TX
Here is the best video I found and the one that inspired me to try these. He uses soap but I used Lubriplate 105 to lubricate the cone and boot and I made my own cone from a transmission funnel.

It is every bit as easy as shown in this video. I couldn't believe it. One thing that makes drive shafts easy is that you can stand them on end and pull "down" on the boot to slip it on.

I've seen where people in forward look have installed these boots by pushing through the middle of the joint like it says to do in the service manual but stretching over is a lot easier. And you can add grease if you like without taking the bottom or end plate off.

The silicone boot is grey and I think more long lasting. It cost's more but I thought it was worth it.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=install+dorman+uni+...


One difference is that in the video, the boot flipped to right side out when he pulled it over. On the old drive shafts, this boot will not flip over automatically so when you get it in position, you will need to turn it inside out and that takes a little working.

The cone is safer to use than the tool they sell to stretch these boots because the cone doesn't stretch the boot as much. There is no need to buy one of these expensive stretch on tools. A cone, or modified transmission funnel, works great. Very easy to install.

Remember not to fill the boot with grease, not needed on drive shafts and the weight of the grease will damage the boot when the centrifical force gets to working I think.

Here's another video

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=install+dorman+uni+...


Edited by samstrader 2020-05-21 12:14 PM
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