[650savag]

Has anyone ever tried to patch the boot on the hex shaft instead of replacing it? I checked mine today and it was in pretty bad shape. It was still clamped good on both ends but there was two or three places where it was separated. I put duct tape over the splits and then took electrical tape and started at one end and wrapped it good all the way to the other end. It made a pretty neat looking fix but I don't know whether it will hold up or not. Just wondering if anyone else has tried this.

 

[NOVAZ27]

Hello. Your Duct tape remedy is a Band-Aid fix for the most part. Those boots are designed to flex just like a bellows does. The tape will flex some but the 00 grease will eventually render the glue on the tape useless. The tape will keep the dust out for a while but you had better figure on replacing the boots before next spring. Makes a nice winter project for sure. There has been a rash RER of boot failures this year on the Snapper forum. There have been several postings here on the Snapper forum on how to replace them boots. Just as many opinions on how to proceed with the repair. Good informative reads all of them.

LATER.

 

[tomw0]

I don't want to throw cold water on your efforts, but did you try to use the gear shift lever to slide the chain case back and forth after doing all the taping? The boots are to seal the hex from dirt which will form grinding compound[more or less...] when mixed with the 00 grease. The 00 will stick, and the dirt will do the grinding.
I *think* the duct tape will not take the flexing from expansion/contraction as the chain case moves back and forth. For the sake of your effort, hope I am mistaken. I have replace the boots twice so far in 20+ years, the first replacement not lasting as long as the 2nd. Reminds me to take a look...
You might find the duct tape increases the effort needed to shift into higher gears. Good winter project as suggested.
tom

 

[650savag]

Thanks guys. I did shift through the range of gears and I could tell it seemed slightly stiffer. I am ordering the boot to install during the off season.

 

[propwash]

The later boots,are the "black rubbery" ones,same part number,much easier to get if you buy them in person, and ask for them,as a lot of dealers,have the old "white plastic" ones in stock,and would like to sell them first. the new ones seem to last much longer.

 

[650savag]

Thanks DC! I may have to order it since I live in a small town. The nearest dealer is an hour away. Mine only had one boot on it. Is it suppose to have one on both sides of the chain housing?

 

[NOVAZ27]

Hello. I purchased 2 sets of the afore mentioned boots off of Amazon a while back. Very nice price & they were delivered to my door within days of ordering them. They were the black ones to boot. OK bad joke there.

LATER.

 

[650savag]

Thanks Nova. I looked at the parts list and it calls for a long one and a short one. I will check on Amazon and see if they have both.

 

[slomo]

As suggested get the black boots. I got some aftermarket cheap crap gray boots. Made from junk that cracked in two mowings. Got the black boots , no issues since. Seem like siliconized rubber.

slomo

 

[propwash]

Found on E-bay ,good price, and shipping, shipping will probably be slow at this price, I haven't dealt with this vendor, so no pro or con. P.S. this is for 1 boot.