What is a boot?

Related parts of the car need protection. The presence of lubricants in the places of interaction (nodes) involves the use of special covers that prevent leakage and ingress of foreign particles (dust, dirt, water, etc.). This is the answer to the question "what is a car boot?" — protective rubber cover.

machine anthers can be of different shapes and sizes - in the form of a ring similar to an oil seal, in the shape of a bell or elongated. But they all have one function - the protection of a hinged or other type of rubbing joint.

Anther damage is a serious problem. Even the smallest crack in its design can lead to dust and moisture. Contamination will form an abrasive that will lead to accelerated part wear, performance problems and corrosion.

Since anthers are exposed to various kinds of influences, they require periodic inspection and assessment of their condition in order not to miss the moment when it is time to change them and to prevent damage to the connection itself.

In order for something to perform its functions flawlessly the boot must have the following properties:

• elasticity of the material (for moving parts);
• adaptability to work at different temperatures;
• resistance to aggressive external environment;
• no reaction to fuels and lubricants.

The original part fully complies with the presented list of features and is a more reliable option than any high-quality copy or equivalent.

Next, consider what types of anthers are found in cars.

CV joint boot replacement kit

What is a CV joint boot?

SHRUS (constant velocity joint) is a remarkable detail of a front-wheel drive car. The drive design includes two CV joints (inner and outer) on each side. All of them are protected by anthers.

In order to provide protection in difficult conditions, anthers for "grenades" (as CV joints are also called) are made of silicone and neoprene. Their shape resembles cone made "accordion". It was not chosen by chance, because this is the only way the part avoids pinching and stretching when changing the angle of the hinge cages. The anther is secured with clamps on both sides. They help keep dust out, keeping the hinge secure day in and day out.

Periodic inspection of the drive will allow timely detection of damage to the CV joint boot. If a crack, rupture or other mechanical damage is found that violates the tightness, the grenade boot should be replaced immediately.

Replacing the CV joint boot is a simple, but troublesome procedure. In order, in order to carry it out, you must first remove the drive. After that, cut the damaged anther and remove the CV joint. Before putting a new boot on the hinge, rinse it thoroughly, and then apply new grease to the assembly. Once everything is ready, you can return the parts to their place again.

Like a damaged boot, clamps should never be reused. They are required to be replaced.

What is a tie rod boot?

The steering mechanism also provides for the use of anthers. Their fastening and shape directly depends on the design features. Based on the place of attachment, the complexity of the repair work required to replace the anther when it is damaged is detected:

Steering rack and tie rod boots

• If the anther is in place fastening steering rods to the rack, as is done in the VAZ-2109, then you have to sweat here. In order to replace it, a number of procedures will have to be performed, including the complete dismantling of the steering mechanism.
• In such car models as the VAZ "Oka", the anthers are also at the ends of the steering rack. To replace any of them, it is enough to remove the clamp, disconnect the rod by unscrewing the fastening nut, and remove the damaged boot.
• Among all the varieties of tie rod anthers, there are quite unusual ones. So in the Volkswagen Polo II model, the anthers are elastic caps, dressed on the body and fixed with a collar. They help prevent dirt from entering the inside of the steering mechanism and are easily dismantled.

What is a ball boot?

ball joint boot

Unlike previous models, the boot for the ball joints in the suspension has a mushroom-like structure. The wide part is located on the body of the support, and the narrow one fits the finger. Low loads on the ball boot made it possible to abandon the "accordion", which is used in analogues to prevent mechanical deformations.

In order to secure the anther, a retaining ring is used. It is attached only to the body. On the other hand, the boot is held by a tight fit.

It is easy to replace a damaged ball boot. To do this, disconnect the ball joint from the hub, and then pry off the retaining ring with a screwdriver. Once this is done, the boot can be pulled off the support. Before installing a new boot, carefully rinse exposed surfaces and grease them first.

Similar anthers are used on tie rod ends. Their design is identical, as is the replacement process. The only difference is the size.

What is a shock absorber boot?

Shock absorber boot

To protect the shock absorbers, anthers are used in the form of a corrugated rubber boot, which most often are not attached at all. They are held in place by a snug fit and protect the chrome stem from dirt and dust.

The exception is the "classic" VAZ models, which use a metal casing that protects the shock absorber rod. It provides long-term protection, but its effectiveness in preventing dirt from entering is slightly lower than that of rubber counterparts.

High demands are placed on the material of the anthers of shock absorbers. In order for something to work normally in conditions of increased load, it must withstand temperatures from -40 to +70 degrees. In addition, the material must be resistant to the ingress of oil, fuel or saline solutions, which are processed roads in winter.

Any damage to the boot is beyond repair. As soon as it was noticed, the cover should be replaced immediately in order to avoid negative consequences.

What is a caliper boot?

Caliper boots

The car caliper boasts the presence of two types of anthers at once: guide anthers and piston anther. each of them differs in shape, but is made of an elastic material that can withstand increased stress and protect the caliper from the penetration of dirt and dust.

Often, caliper anthers change during preventive repair work. Having identified the deterioration of the material or damage to the structure, the owner of the car must replace immediately detail. If this is not done on time, the consequences can be very unpleasant.

For example, a rupture of the piston boot and the subsequent ingress of dirt will lead to mechanical damage to the cylinder and piston, the formation of rust and even jamming. And damage to the anthers of the guides leads to the fact that they turn sour, provoking uneven wear of the disc brake pads.

Flywheel boot

What is a flywheel boot?

Flywheel boot — "white crow" among brothers. Unlike covers for a ball joint or CV joint, it made of metal, in order to reliably protect the flywheel from foreign elements and liquids. It is also called the clutch housing cover.

Like other parts, the flywheel boot can be mechanically damaged, worn or corroded. If it is not possible to restore the normal state, it should be replaced.