windydog

I have read what a pain in the butt the rubber boots are to install.

I used some wooden clay sculpture sticks I had, and was able to install both boots in 10 minutes.

Simply install the boots, and use the wooden end to slide the end of the boots over.

You are done.

inkatouring

Now you tell me.


No, seriously, good tip and wish I had thought of it, although I was able to get them on rather quickly once I figured out the trick for me (needle-nose pliers).

TravisB

Forgive me for being art-impaired, but what exactly does a wooden clay sculpture stick look like? I need to do this soon and google images wasn't overly helpful..

inkatouring

Something like this (and can be found here):



Personally, I would go with the second from the right.

e9stibi

I agree on pics if someone thinks to have found a significant simplification. Pics of tools and some shots of them in action will increase the chance of successful reapplication a lot. Not everyone deals with such boots on a regular basis and a picture tells you more than 1000 words in this case.

inkatouring

I used two needle nose plier and as the rubber is thick and did not look like it would rip. It didn't and appears not to be compromised at all. It's still not an easy job, but by the time you've learned how to do it on one side, the other goes much quicker, less than 10 minutes (with some frustration and swearing still, but not too much). I tried the modified coat hanger tool and found that not to be substantial enough. The pottery wood stick might have the strength, though.

Slow Guy

A little lube on the boot lip helps too. Don't remember if I used WD40 or a light oil on mine.

Marc Shaw

Dish soap is a great rubber lubricant as it does not attack the rubber some like some petroleum based lubricants and, once dry, is no longer slippery.

Works well on reinstalling gauges, pulling rubber fuel lines, and boots.

Marc

trophy

Dish soap is a good Rubber Lubricant.... Good to know

I didn't have any issues when I did mine, no tools or lube and wasn't a problem.

Garth S

Pardon me for digging up an old chestnut .... but if you can find a wire coat hanger and have a pair of pliers, here's a sure fired way to slip those booties on "slip on booties"