In the past I've always replaced my bad CV boots with "split boots," which are nice because you don't have to really take apart anything. You just cut the old boot off, and put the new one on and then close it up with nylon bolts.

Now ... I'm still a strong believer in split boots, but I finally did have two split boots I put on go bad. One had been on for better than 60,000 miles, the other a lot less (not sure how long).

Since both boots were on one side, I decided to buy a set of the "popover" boots from Matt @ independent4x4.

I gotta say these are great products. Since I had to put on 2, I honestly don't think it took me any longer than if I had put on 2 split boots. Maybe less. And the boots do seem to be of high quality.

I am still a believer in split boots, BTW, but it's just a fact that these "pop-over" boots aren't much more work. I'll be keeping an eye on them to see if they last as long, but they look to be good quality.

How long they last is important to me, since from what I've seen the one piece boots that come on CV joints don't seem to last long with a torsion bar lift. I've had better luck with the stretchier split boots.

very cool..... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

thanks for the review

One thing is for sure...If you're gonna use split boots, use the screw together type made by Motormite. The glue type are just junk...

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Trooperfreak:
<strong>One thing is for sure...If you're gonna use split boots, use the screw together type made by Motormite. The glue type are just junk...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Haven't had the misfortune to run into the glue type, but I sure agree with that! The ones with little nylon screws are hard enough to put together, can't imagine trying to put together a glue joint with all that grease in the area.

BTW Steve...belated thanks for turning me on to the Motormites through your posts here. They do seem to be holding up well.

I hate to disagree. Well, actually I like to disagree <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> but...

I put a glue together split boot on a year ago and it is holding up fine. It took a lot of patience and time to put it on, but in the long run I think it was worth it. I actually only meant it to be temporary (I was out of work, didn't want to spend the money on a mechanic and didn't know how to do the job myself, yada, yada) but it is showing no signs of serious wear so I may keep it on a little longer. Eventually if it ever quites raining I'll get some pop on's from Indy 4x and following the directions that are buried on the Forum.

- Jim

Jim, do you have any lift in the front?

If you don't that is why they are still holding up.
I replaced the whole CV with a used one (it was in perfect condition, almost new) & have used the 4WD only couple of times (one was Uwharrie & the other two i got stuck in mud near the city).
What i'm trying to say is, they already look like they are gonna go in the near future & i've got manual hubs, so my CV's aren't turning unless i lock the hubs.

Haven't tried the boots myself, but have read a lot of good reviews all over the net (on other trucks, not isuzus).
Also knnowing Matt i dought he would sell anything other than a very good quality product.

rubo

I just replace a cv boot on my '93 Trooper. Not fun. I had to completely remove the front right axel from the truck, then take the inside joint of the axel, remove the old boot, slide on the new boot, then put it all back together. I haven't finished the "put back together" part yet. My 2 year old daughter was helping and lost a castle nut to the tie rod. Bless her heart. I will never do this again without a quick/split boot. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" />

I also have had good luck with split boots (knoking on wood). I tore my two inner boots at Moab last year, I put the split boot on a short time later, the screw kind, not glue. They are still going strong, and I still have a set of the Megatech Boots from Matt in the box, waiting to be needed.
I have the three inch torsion bar lift and manual hubs, so not to much wear.

Scott F.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Scott F.:
<strong>I also have had good luck with split boots
....</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">A question... I replaced my boots a couple years back. I didn't want to use split boots... first because I had doubts about durability (you guys have done a lot to dispel that).

But also because a CV boot looks as though it would acts like a bellows, contracting and expanding volume a little as the suspension and steering act on the CV joint. It seems to me a split boot could suck in water in a deep ford if not sealed.

Has anyone noted this? or does it not really matter if it does?

Thanks
BuddyWh