Boots: Clamp or No?

[Mulcheese]

I am done with the new CV and boots all around. I have one final question to complete the project. Do you clamp/zip tie the boot ends? My Lobro boots came with clamps but I have yet to install them because during Colins last visit he recommended that I take off the pip clamps from the boots that were on the van at the time.

Some people say yes some say no, Why?

[kreemoweet]

Some say no clamps because that is what the Bentley service manual specifies for the later-type boots with the integral metal caps.
I also recall seeing somewhere that clamps are not used on later axles that have two ridges between which the small end of the boot resides, as
opposed to axles with a single ridge. The boots seem quite snug enough to me to keep out bad stuff, and it would seem that restraining
them with a clamp could only increase stress on, and therefore rate of deterioration of, the boot.

[71whitewesty]

I've been going with no clamps lately. I was using zip ties but I just can't see the reason to use anything at all. They are snug and I've never have had a failure at that area. They always seem to fail in the bellows. Just replaced one after 3 years and 27,000 miles, all the other are still fine on that bus.

[Amskeptic]

I've been going with no clamps lately. I was using zip ties but I just can't see the reason to use anything at all. They are snug and I've never have had a failure at that area. They always seem to fail in the bellows. Just replaced one after 3 years and 27,000 miles, all the other are still fine on that bus.

I use no clamps until the boots have petrified enough to pull the small end out of the channel. That's about 50,000 miles. Then I ziptie and prepare for a repack.
Reins currently.
Colin

[72Hardtop]

No clamps on ends at any time.

Just redid the CV joints on mine and installed Rockford boots (no end clamps) The last time I did them was roughly 20+ years ago. If lubed properly the CV will last a loooooooooooooooooooooooooong time so long as the boot holds up.

[72Hardtop]

CV boot update (Rockford 339-4)

Installed them in August 2018 odometer at 00822.

After 5.5 years the drivers side boot on the narrow end (1) pleat towards wheel came completely apart in a perfect curricular pattern. And it (break) was not in the valley or peak of the boot. About mid way between the two points. The other (3) boots looked as good as the day they were installed. Current odometer is at 13,879.

Managed 13,057 miles in 5.5 years.

I've installed Meyle boots. The boots measure length wise from where the CV flange sits to the end of boot 3.5 inches. That puts them at a rested position just prior to the (2) nubs on the axle. Needless to say I won't be holding my breathe. The Rockford boots are 1 inch longer in length (from where CV flange sits to end of boot).

I did zip-tie the Meyle boot ends given they do not reach the area between the nubs on the axle. That is the relaxed position of the boot.