SPA Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 (edited) Hi Can anyone point me in the direction of some advice on replacing drive shaft gaiters on a 97 dedion, fitted with what I understand are Ford driveshafts? Found something from Low Flying but it refers to the newer type. Not sure how different the process is? Full disclosure - I did replace one 15 years ago. But the only thing I remember was that it involved a lot of brute force! Should have taken notes and photos... PLEASE IGNORE THIS POST (can't find a delete option) - just found my same question from 15 years ago. With answers!! Rather than searching for the topic I should have just looked at my own posts! Doh.. Edited April 30 by SPA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted April 30 Member Share Posted April 30 https://duckduckgo.com/?q=site:caterhamlotus7.club+driveshaft+gaiters ... but I don't know how many different types there are. Jonathan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPA Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 Thanks Jonathan. I clearly need to brush up on my searching. Plenty of threads there. What I was surprised by was that a number seem to refer to having to destroy the can to get at the joint. I don't recall having to do that previously. The boot kits I have, do not include a can. I'll maybe check with redline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 (edited) Report back on how you get on. When mine need doing again it will probably be using stretchy ones!! Ian Edited May 1 by Wrightpayne 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miker7 Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 Don't destroy the can - you can't get them any more (unless someone knows of some stock hidden away) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 I did find some on Autodoc a couple of years ago. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPA Posted May 2 Author Share Posted May 2 On 01/05/2024 at 07:30, Wrightpayne said: Report back on how you get on. When mine need doing again it will probably be using stretchy ones!! Ian Will do. What is this stretchy wizardry? I've read of the type that can be wrapped around but they don't seem to last very long... Can these older driveshafts still be purchased new? Very worse case scenario with the likely price... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miker7 Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 J&r driveshafts in somewhere in or near Birmingham do new Sierra drive shafts (or did a couple of years ago). The can they use is slightly larger than the original Sierra. No idea what that's from but wish I knew. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted May 2 Share Posted May 2 I think they are called duraboot. You also need a cone and lube to stretch/slide them on over the CV joint 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPA Posted May 4 Author Share Posted May 4 So - started the job today. Driveshaft out - easy! Now - how does the can come off?? I really can't remember whether the kit I purchased 15 years ago came with a can, and therefore I could destroy the old one to get it off, or did I face the situation I face today where I need to get it off in a reusable condition... I can't see any way other than abusing a small screw driver and driving it between the can and the driveshaft at the large end of the can... But it's having very little effect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted May 4 Share Posted May 4 I dont think the cans are reuseable. before proceeding you need to look carefully at the replacement boots and whether they’ll stretch and slide over the joint?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miker7 Posted May 4 Share Posted May 4 Officially the cans aren't reusable. The official way to get them off is to cut them. Then you buy the now unobtainable replacement part from ford that includes a can. Technically you can peal the can off the drive shaft and then re peen the end over once done. How successful you'll be I've no idea. I've heard of people using an air tool to stretch the now standard replacement CV boot over the can - like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314378689182 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPA Posted May 4 Author Share Posted May 4 Well - I managed to get the can off eventually. I persevered after taking off the driveshaft that I replaced a boot on 15 years ago; I could see that I had re-peened it. Quite a neat job if I say so myself, and it is still doing the job it should. I just couldn't remember whether I had fitted a new can last time or not! Evidently not. So can is off and now I 'just' need to remove the spider with bearings off the drive shaft. Mine do not have a circlip and I do remember from last time that this took a lot of force! There is not enough of an edge for a 3 legged puller (at least not mine) to get a hold. So will be the vice, a large hammer, and some sort of punch to get some purchase on the spider. Stretching a boot over the whole thing is attractive, but I can't see how the small end of the gaiter (24mm ID) is going to go over the can and retain its original size to do the job it should. It might however, stretch enough to go over the spider and bearings. That would mean 1x PITA job per drive shaft instead of 2x. So I may put off trying to get the spider off until I get one of these cone thingies, or even the hydraulic tool referenced by Miker7; got to be worth that price to give it a try? There must still be plenty of 7's about with these older driveshafts? What's the future hold; is there a newer design that fits? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miker7 Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 This company is still making Sierra drive shafts. The cans are slightly larger than what Ford used. I've just no idea what they are - I assume they're from another vehicle & I once heard (with no evidence) VW. So it's possible to keep them on the road if we can find the can (and it fits) or persuade this company to make us some. https://www.jandrcvjoints.co.uk/ford-sierra-1.8-petrol-1992/catalogue/drive-shafts-509 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlastererPete Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 I bought a set of driveshafts from J&R years ago and lets just say they weren't very good and I had to send them back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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