Sigh, melted steering boot

paffoh

paffoh

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Joined
Sep 3, 2008
Messages
269
Location
Canberra, A.C.T
Mechanic gave me some news today while he was doing my struts,

Seems the Extractors I had fitted recently have completely destroyed my steering boot. Wasnt sure what it was but after doing some google searching found a few instances of the above (With pics). Still havent gotten the car back but rest assured I have been advised its not terminally dangerous (Wont cause the PS to fail). It will however let in ****e loads of dust and debris which I am sure will be costly.

https://www.rs25.com/forums/f9/t77141-borla-header-melted-steering-rack-dust-boot.html

He decided before I replace the boot I contact the guys who fitted the extractors and get them to heatsheild it. Damn I pay a lot of money to find things out the hard way, I have read wrapping headers makes the lifespan of the product worse but a heatshield via heatclamps around the area may fix the problem. I did notice a funky smell awhile ago after some hard work driving in the Brindies, wasnt sure what it was but put it down to coolant (Seems I was wrong).

Why didnt this shield come standard? (Surely they knew this would happen).

Any risk driving my car 1000km this weekend? (Mechanic says no).

Oh, they also found my waterpump is leaking! :(
 
A couple of us with MY06 Foresters who have just come back from a 8000 km trip across the great Sandy & Simpson deserts have found the steering boot above the exhaust split. We both had removed the factory fitted heat shields to prevent spinifex build up catching fire. The original boots are a hard type plastic not your usual soft rubber ones. It may pay to keep an eye on them.
 
Hope you get it sorted out soon.:iconwink: I've heard the Subie water pumps rarely have a problem, do they know what it is???
 
This was a common problem on the old RX turbo's from what I've read.

And you'll probabily find that that water pump leak is just a blown seal - this is what the problem was on the EJ22 that had done 127,000km that's going into Ruby Scoo...

Cheers

Bennie
 
I'm currently looking at modifying the headers on the H6 Foz, so that I can get better ground clearance. This thread has been helpful in that I will think about heatshielding so that the boots dont melt. Thanks.
 
I have removed my heat shield on my exhaust that face the ground. They were all dented and rattling like all sh*t on the exhuast. It was driving me crazy...

The ones between the body, engine, etc.. and exhaust are still there though. Also another question guys I was thinking of replacing my stock headers with something abit unequal to let the Subie boxer rumble live a little. Would this have any effect on the boots or the subaxtreme sumpguard getting in the way?

Taza
 
^ interesting suggestion d generate. I'll have a think about that.
 
Be nice if you could soak them in or at least put some form of silicone on the outside, kangaroo leather is the strongest in the world, no shortage either lol.
 
El_Freddo said:
You'll probabily find that that water pump leak is just a blown seal - this is what the problem was on the EJ22 that had done 127,000km that's going into Ruby Scoo...
Click to expand...

For the record it was shaft play in the end :( But it's well and truly sorted now :D

d_generate said:
kangaroo leather is the strongest in the world, no shortage either lol.
Click to expand...

No shortage at the moment - but once the general population comes around to eating the meat and using other parts of a native animal it could be another story!

Cheers

Bennie
 
They have been using them by the thousand for pet meat for many years and I doubt there will ever be a shortage having lived out on the edge of the Gibson Desert and up north for quite a few years, millions & millions out there, way more than our population could ever go through and I doubt it will ever be a popular meat anyhow, way too strong and tough unless you like it almost raw.

Conservationist greenies may say different but the vast majority of those idiots live in the city or overseas, it's the millions of feral goats, cats, donkeys, rabbits, toads and camels they should be concentrating on.
 
d gen ... you calling me an idiot? ;)

Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, it makes far more sense to farm / harvest indigenous species than to run hoofed animals in unsuitable conditions.

BTW, I have eaten roo and think it tastes great, and it is becoming a regular stock item in mainstream supermarkets.
 
In preparation for th headers being cut down tomorrow (and hence lifted closer to the steering boots), I made up some heat shields not unlike these:

https://www.rs25.com/forums/f9/1784771-post16.html

Anyway, while rattring around for information on heat reduction, the idea of ceramic coatingt he headers came up. I might actually do it, depenmding on the cost.

https://www.jet-hot.com.au/advantages.htm#Performance

Would be a very effective way of reducing engine bay temperatures. Mind you, having the bash plate off (as it currently is) does a pretty good job of that: I just can't leave it that way.

Then I found this:

https://www.fordmuscleforums.com/ex...-coating-headers-high-temp-ceramic-paint.html

Seems you can do a reasonable DIY job if you can locate the paint...
 
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My solution was ceramic coated + DIY heatshields (autobahn)

Exhaust shop did it for nix, not the prettiest finish but no more melting.

Still bloody hot though :)
 
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