Rubber rubbish

[Jaba]

The TD estate is up for its MOT. Checked underneath yesterday - ugh -
Both of the front hub bottom swivel joint rubber shrouds had just disintegrated.

They were only fitted 3 years ago. Usually these outlast the joint but these have just perished away. Don't know where I bought them but I have another set in stock, an ebay purchase, that are the same make, so I won't be using them.

I also noted that one of the 4 rubber shrouds on the front brake caliper slides was damaged.
How the hell do you get these out without damaging them ? Does anyone know ? I had a quick look but they seem to be bonded into the caliper body. I have spare calipers with shrouds fitted so would like to do a repacement shroud swap if you say that this is possible.

[Defender110]

From memory I vaguley remember;

I think the rubber gaiters have a lip that inserts into a recess in the body before the slide pin is inserted , so the pin holds them in and needs to be removed to get the rubber gaiter out of the recess if you get my drift?

[mat_fenwick]

Defender is right, although they may also be bonded as they do seem to be tricky to remove. Have you found a source of spare shrouds then?

Poor quality parts have been really annoying me over the last year or so too - I'm sick of the parts counter guys all coming out with the same line "They'll last you fine mate".
The lower engine mount on mine lasted just over a year and 15k miles before it ended up worse than the 160k mile 15 year old OE bush!

[MULLEY]

A bit like those pattern part strut pipes that last about 2yrs if your lucky

[Jaba]

Yes Idid try to get one off with the slide removed but they seemed well and truly stuck in - - hence my post.

I have a couple of spare calipers I will check them out to test your advice out.

[MULLEY]

I wonder when they age they kinda get welded in? Look forward to seeing how you get on as i've got a few calipers that could do with an overhaul as the boots have perished etc....