AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => 4X4 and Driveline => Topic started by: Zoro on January 10, 2014, 11:17:10 AM

Title: 4WD vacuum boots keep breaking, need better soloution
Post by: Zoro on January 10, 2014, 11:17:10 AM
Been having a heck of a time with the vacuum boots for the 4WD cracking in the cold. The factory one lasted 30 years and I've gone thru a whole pack in less than 30 days! Seems like every time it drops down below 15*F the boot just cracks right down the side as if you slit it with a knife.

Anybody have a better solution?
Title: Re: 4WD vacuum boots keep breaking, need better soloution
Post by: carnuck on January 10, 2014, 04:36:54 PM
Piece of silicon rubber hose over the line and fitting. Did mine 10 years ago.
Title: Re: 4WD vacuum boots keep breaking, need better soloution
Post by: Zoro on January 10, 2014, 05:41:32 PM
Quote from: carnuck on January 10, 2014, 04:36:54 PM
Piece of silicon rubber hose over the line and fitting. Did mine 10 years ago.

I'll give that a shot. For now I put a regular boot in there with 2 squeeze clamps.
Title: Re: 4WD vacuum boots keep breaking, need better soloution
Post by: Monkeyjoe on January 11, 2014, 02:35:17 AM
Make sure the vacuum line isn't pulling the boots to the side.  make sure there is no "side load", this could be causing the problem.  May have to install a longer vacuum hose or support the existing hoses.
Title: Re: 4WD vacuum boots keep breaking, need better soloution
Post by: eaglefreek on January 11, 2014, 10:55:11 AM
Most likely just poor quality import junk made with the wrong material. It's amazing they were able to make a material that lasted almost 30 years and with today's technology the foreign manufacturers can't figure it out, or maybe they just don't care.
Title: Re: 4WD vacuum boots keep breaking, need better soloution
Post by: vangremlin on January 11, 2014, 11:52:55 AM
I'm a little slow, can you explain what you mean by the "vacuum boots"?  Thanks for cluing in the clueless.   ???
Title: Re: 4WD vacuum boots keep breaking, need better soloution
Post by: eaglebeek on January 11, 2014, 02:36:44 PM
Quote from: vangremlin on January 11, 2014, 11:52:55 AM
I'm a little slow, can you explain what you mean by the "vacuum boots"?  Thanks for cluing in the clueless.   ???
I'm as clueless as you are. I've enjoyed some success using various diameters of nylon air system tubing found in trucks and buses. If I knew where he was having problems or I see a photo I can pass my solutions on to him. :eagle:
Title: Re: 4WD vacuum boots keep breaking, need better soloution
Post by: Zoro on January 11, 2014, 04:42:22 PM
The things I'm referring to are the rubber boots where the factory joined different pieces/colors of vacuum tubing.

(http://www.outdoorpros.com/images/prod/1/Dorman-47403-rw-51366-60557.jpg)

Quote from: eaglefreek on January 11, 2014, 10:55:11 AM
Most likely just poor quality import junk made with the wrong material. It's amazing they were able to make a material that lasted almost 30 years and with today's technology the foreign manufacturers can't figure it out, or maybe they just don't care.
My thoughts exactly. All the ones I can find are Chinese. When they break they're breaking at the seam the mold leaves when they're manufactured.
Title: Re: 4WD vacuum boots keep breaking, need better soloution
Post by: eaglebeek on January 11, 2014, 11:33:11 PM
OK...now it makes more sense. Nylon tubing for truck and bus air systems is available at truck dealers and other purveyors of truck parts. I think you need a piece of 1/16-inch nylon tubing. One end goes over the original tubing and the other slips inside.  :eagle: