After fitting the third set of rubber boots - ive become so disappointed that i have yet to use the car but these items are rubbish.
Its now made worse by the fact that ive fitted CV joints and si this time its messy.
Can anyone point me in the direction of a better quality product please?
Mine have always had the steel inserts - but they perish in front of my eyes.

Is it that they are leaking oil Andrew? I took mine apart and cleaned everything. Soaked the rubber in boiling water so it became softer and then rubbed petroleum jelly into them to nourish the rubber. I replaced the wiper seals which were cheap rubbish with SKF viton ones I found on www.simplybearings.co.uk. I also made sure that the driveshaft was smooth where the seal sits. I havent driven my car in anger yet, just a drive round the block, but as yet no leaks from the boots. Originally they used to leak just sitting in the garage. Worth a go as I suspect most of the suppliers sell the same cheap rubbish. The seal swap is the key.

which seals did you actually purchase please.

They are the third set to of perished into dust. The car has only moved in and out of my garage....they must be made of the cheapest rubber available...
I got the changing of them down to an art......but now i have fitted CV joints filled with graphite grease...
I have ordered some from Germany and they say they are Italian made rather than the rubbish from Poland.
Better get my rubber gloves out as the horrid grease goes everywhere.

I have looked on the 'simply bearings' web-site, as per your hi-lite Damian--which seals did you purchase from them? have you got a part number that I can refer to please? I am about to change my rear hub bearings, so it might be a job worth doing at the same time.

the hobbler said:

I have looked on the 'simply bearings' web-site, as per your hi-lite Damian--which seals did you purchase from them? have you got a part number that I can refer to please? I am about to change my rear hub bearings, so it might be a job worth doing at the same time.

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Sorry Tom my mistake, I actually got them off Ebay. They are SKF Viton double lip seal 25x35x7mm R23/TC. Simply bearings must do the same ones though.

Thank you for the information Damian I have just ordered 2 at £5.00p a piece (carriage FOC) through E-bay from 'Lancashire Seals'. They are listed as SKF seals. 'Simply Bearings' DO sell Viton double -lip seals (but at £9.11p +vat each!) of the required size, but with no indication who the manufacturer is.

the hobbler said:

Thank you for the information Damian

I have just ordered 2 at £5.00p a piece (carriage FOC) through E-bay from 'Lancashire Seals'. They are listed as SKF seals. 'Simply Bearings' DO sell Viton double -lip seals (but at £9.11p +vat each!) of the required size, but with no indication who the manufacturer is.

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I got mine from Lancashire seals. When you take the seal out of your boot try and put it on the driveshaft. If it's like mine was it will be really loose. Then try the new ones which should be a lot tighter. The rubber boots are still cheap crap but the SKF seals should do a better job of keeping the oil in. For the price its certainly worth a go