universal joint dust boot

[bosworth]

Hi;

I'm new to p15-d24, and a new owner of an early 49 Plymouth (p15). I tried to replace a universal dust boot today and only managed to rip it in half. I took the universal apart, removed the balls, end caps etc. cleaned out the old grease. I then greased both inside and outside of the new rubber boot (andy bernbaum).

I pushed the housing up to the drive shaft and fed the rubber boot over the trunnion. I then tried to force the boot through the housing. I was able to get it about half through, but it got really stuck. I tried to force it and pull it through, but ended up ripping it in half. Is there a trick I need to know, or is it time to look for a leather boot?

thanks.......... Bill

[oldmopar]

Some great information on the process at the imperial site see link below however I replaced the rubber boots got them from roberts and they only held up a year or so and I do not drive much. Better of with the leather version

http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/056/index.htm

[TodFitch]

Your experience sounds a bit like mine: I went through 5 rubber boots before I got two on without damaging them. And then I let the drive shaft sit for several months before installing it. When I went to install it I found that the "good" rubber boots were cracking and failing. It is my guess that all the rubber boots that are for sale are old stock and the rubber is ready to fail being many decades old.

There are at least two types of leather boots (more shown in the factory service manual, but two that I know are for sale now). I got ones, from I think Roberts, that had more interlocking folds and a snap together inner grease retaining code. Went on pretty easily and have been functioning well for a couple of years now.

[oldmopar]

sounds like the leather ones I got did not get around to installing them yet. In search for a correct grease to use for the ujoints I have been using modern grease for cv joints to pack them with.

[TodFitch]

s.... In search for a correct grease to use for the ujoints I have been using modern grease for cv joints to pack them with.

Seems like modern CV joint grease would be a good choice.

[Andydodge]

Personally I would always try to replace the ball & trunion joints with the normal style uni joint, there doesn't appear to be a definative answer as to when Chrysler started to use the new style joint over the ball & trunion but if you can find the newer style setup with the sliding yoke driveshaft then get it, the whole unit, from the handbrake flange to the diff flange and replace the whole unit in one go......the shaft might have to be shortened or lengthened BUT no more mongrel ball & trunions, leaking rubber and/or leather boots.....my 1.5 Oz cents worth......can you tel how much I really like ball & trunions?............lol...............andyd

[Young Ed]

Dads 63 valiant still has that ball and trunion joint at 1 end of the driveshaft.

[Labrauer]

I had no trouble at all getting mine on the 48 Plymouth Coupe both ends but when it came to the 48 Plymouth Sedan I did the same thing. I did everything I could think of but still broke the dust cover. Had to end up taking the pin out of both ends and putting the dust cover on first. I guess it all depends on luck. I had the luck with me on the Coupe but not the Sedan. What gives?