Looks as new Gremlin , well done. overfinch modified

Thanks @Caymanblack

Everyone loves a bargain!

I’ve done well lately, what with my £50 Osram D3S Nightbreakers too!

Fingers crossed this will get her sailing through the MOT in a couple of weeks, there was an advisory last MOT of the flexy brake hoses (slight corrosion) but these were all replaced during my “mega” Brembo 6-pot brake upgrade last Summer. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Well, that was easy! Well under an hour from start to tools put away and celebratory cup of coffee

Old one out:

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

I’m possibly risking a bit of ridicule posting this, but here goes anyway:

I’ve decided to use THIS as preventive mainenance to keep the rubber in nice flexible condition, (as an ex-caravanner I used to use this regularly on cassette toilet seals to stop them perishing, and it kept them like new for years).
Just takes a bit of Dutch courage to visit a caravan shop




No need to lecture about the dangers of perished rubbers…..

 “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Gremlin, the sort of owner you want to buy your Range Rover from.  overfinch modified

@Caymanblack, thanks for the compliment

It’s good to keep on top of things…….

Having cut off the old boot to have a post mortem, I see now why you can’t just change the bellows, even if one was available: The coupling parts inside are max 55mm diameter, and the holes in the ends of the rubber are only both 25mm in a 3mm groove) so they must vulcanize the two halves of the bellows together over the complete assembled joint, I can’t see any other way it could be done. Effectively a “ship in a bottle” situation.
Suppose a 2-part bellows would work, fitted from either end. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

I inspected mine while replacing the engine mounts last night. My steering boot is ripped too.

Time to see if my extended warranty covers it or if I have to search eBay for a replacement… Dan. 🇨🇦 2013 L405 5.0 SCV8

@Bora20:

Good luck! Be very careful, nearly all the ones on eBay are already split, I was lucky.
If it helps, the RR Sport has an identical part, used parts dealers /dismantlers are another option.

I have an as yet unproven theory that using “comfort access” all the time contributes to the swift demise of this part, as the angle of the UJ increases as the suspension lowers, and the joint straightens more as the height is increased.
Having dissected the rubber boot, it seems the convoluted parts are very thin (1mm) and not robust enough to cope with the frequent angle changes. My original boot made in 2016 seems to be inferior in quality to the replacement made in 2017.

I therefore reccommend disabling comfort access, (especially if you have deployable sidesteps, it’s not really necessary if you are of anything like normal stature, including females) to reduce wear & tear. This feature also causes wear and tear failures in the steering wheel lift/lower mechanism, as reported by PowerfulUK, so there are two possible reasons not to enable it.

Does the RRSport have comfort access as an option? The 2017 used boot above looks brand new.
EDIT: RR Sport of course has air suspension and comfort access - but being lower, maybe owners don’t use it as much? “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Last edited by Gremlin500 on 28th Feb 2023 11:45am. Edited 1 time in total

Thanks. The search is on tomorrow after I find out if extended warranty will cover it.

I like comfort access. It helps my parents and kids. I can live with buying a new part if that’s what it takes. Dan. 🇨🇦 2013 L405 5.0 SCV8

Well done Gremlin. Looks like a simple enough fix 👍 Shame the boot isn't available as a separate part. Maybe over time it may be available as a 2-part assembly. Kev

2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

Bora20 wrote:

Thanks. The search is on tomorrow after I find out if extended warranty will cover it.

I like comfort access. It helps my parents and kids. I can live with buying a new part if that’s what it takes.

Warranty is the best option if you have it, £187.67 plus an hours labour say £135 at MD is well over £300 all in  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Well, I’m ressurecting this thread, because I think I may have found a way to refurb these, but I need a few to take to bits and play with. If anyone has one they took off in reasonable nick, please PM me and I’ll be glad to pay a few quid plus shipping, thanks guys.  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Earlier this year when my 4.4 SDV8 engine was out for its rebuild I noticed my UJ gaiter was split so it was the ideal time to replace it. Balking at the price of the complete assembly I managed to source a replacement gaiter, which was very good quality and is still as good as new - much more compliant than the original.

Just do a search on Ebay for DA3689, several companies selling them.

HTH L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

Wow! £45 just for the rubber is a lot!
I’d be looking at £90 for the complete unit with new rubber and two new Inbus+ bolts.

But I need some old ones with split rubbers to start with………  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?