CV Boot Clamps (McMaster-Carr) - The good ones

[pfran42]

There has been a lot of discussion lately on CVs, axle installs, boots clamps, CV grease etc. I and a few others have had CV boot failures recently and by researching this topic, I have figured out that a lot of this can be addressed by good CV boot clamps.

Many people have mentioned the McMaster-Carr smooth band w/rolled edges clamps and I was in the middle of ordering some when it dawned on me to check where the MC physical locations were. Well, one is in Atlanta and they have the two clamps in stock.

Here are the part numbers and descriptions:

#5574K25 (4-4 3/4')

#5574K16 (1-1 5/8')

I was thinking of picking a bunch of both sizes up but wanted to gauge interest before committing to a large buy.

Here is one of the threads (among many) that references these clamps:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/388534-cv-boots-replaced-directions.html

Anyone interested?

 

[Gottagetone]

When I replaced mine I picked them up at West Marine. They have the ones with the rolled edges in stock all the time. Hard to tell from the pics but they are good quality clamps.
Plumbing - Hose & Hose Clamps - Hose Accessories at West Marine

 

[pfran42]

Ill be down there within the hour but I have to place my order first. Ill post pics once I have them. I am guessing I will get enough for 20 people.

These should be in everyone's recovery gear.

- Sent from a very small supercomputer.

 

[Anthony.L]

What's the cost per clamp going to run? I will check my local West Marine at lunch for comparison.

 

[pfran42]

Small is $1.02, large is $1.64 before tax. I was thinking that everyone should get 3 of each. So $7.96 before tax and $8.52 after tax. Add shipping (USPS Express, PayPal fees, shipping labels, packaging materials plus enought to make it worth my while and I am thinking $18.50 (EDIT: Changed to $20 as I forgot to incorporate travel time and mileage for getting these) for 6 of these bands shipped to your door.

4 for your axles and 2 in case you mess one up or to place with your spares. Does this sound like a fair price?

(I am really not making anything off of these when you consider my time spent answering emails, mapping Mud names to real names, shipping items and making runs to the Post Office). Everyone could probably save a Buck or two by finding them themselves but this way, I do all the legwork.

I am at McMaster-Carr now...

Thoughts?

- Sent from a very small supercomputer.

 

[pfran42]

And here they are. Facility was about 20 times larger than I expected. Quality looks great and the rolled edges are pronounced.

I was also thinking that once I take my 6 clamps out of this lot, I have no problem shipping this entire box (57 pieces of each sized clamp) to someone for cost plus shipping. $84.91 - $8.52 (my 6 clamps) + $10.00 shipping = $86.00. The buyer could then handle getting the parts out to the forum members and incorporate any margin they see fit. Either way is fine with me.

- Sent from a very small supercomputer.

 

[Newps]

Looks good, these are the ones I was looking for.

 

[pfran42]

When I replaced mine I picked them up at West Marine. They have the ones with the rolled edges in stock all the time. Hard to tell from the pics but they are good quality clamps.
Plumbing - Hose & Hose Clamps - Hose Accessories at West Marine

Wow, those are like $8.50 a piece for the bigger ones. I think we found ourselves a bargain with the McMaster-Carr brand.

 

[Surfa]

Put me on the list for a set.

My drivers front side is leaking just alittle bit. Also it's been making strange clunking noise from the same location when turning at very low speed.

 

[Anthony.L]

So who's is going to pick these up and parse them out? Epressoman?

 

[e9999]

can't quite tell from the pic for sure, but this is the kind where the "worm slots" are backed and don't go all the way through to the rubber, right?

are the sizes the same for inner and outer boots?

interested in a set or 2, gotta go count how many I need

 

[Supra88]

I have a bunch of the smaller McMaster Carr clamps that I used for my CV boots I can mail out if there's interest. Shoot me a couple bucks/pair and I'll drop them in an envelope to you.

 

[OregonLC]

Paul, what's the width on those? When I rebooted, I picked up some at A1 Coupling Articles Product Lists Clamps. I believe I have the 68 series. After roughly 1000 miles they're holding great and haven't needed any re-tightening.

The only problem is that they're slightly wider than the channels in the rubber. On the large end, I had to trim the little rubber tabs. On the small, you just have to make sure they don't extent past the end of the rubber.

So... do yours fit exactly in the groove?

 

[plirky]

Paul, I'm in for a set.

 

[pfran42]

Just finished new boot kits on my truck...need sleep. Will follow up with everyone later today. Bands work great, fit the rubber channel perfectly, are the closest possible length for both sizes, don't have the exposed worm screw exposed to the boot side, made of stainless steel, yaddi yaddi yadda....

 

[pfran42]

Paul, what's the width on those? When I rebooted, I picked up some at A1 Coupling Articles Product Lists Clamps. I believe I have the 68 series. After roughly 1000 miles they're holding great and haven't needed any re-tightening.

The only problem is that they're slightly wider than the channels in the rubber. On the large end, I had to trim the little rubber tabs. On the small, you just have to make sure they don't extent past the end of the rubber.

So... do yours fit exactly in the groove?

Here is a pic of one installed:

- Sent from a very small supercomputer.

 

[jemsec]

Have a few extras if anyone in my area needs them. Large and small, Birmingham, AL. These are reusable and will last a long time.

 

[PJCB]

Would love a set as well. They would need to be posted though as I'm a bit far to pick them up

 

[jonharis]

I bought these about 6 months ago to replace a broken one on my CV. They installed easy and are still kicking. no noticeable vibration.

 

[Newps]

Very nice, you were up late last night. I cleaned my drivers side axleshaft and lower A-arm of grease and installed one Timbren bump stop. At 8:30pm I was done, PIA to wrench at night.