I just installed a Hurst shifter and found out both rubber boots over the shifter mechanism had tears in them.

I've sucessfully repaired parts like that before so I fixed the boots. This might help somone else.

Clean the area with a non-oily solvent. Lacquer thinner or acetone works. Avoid regular paint thinner.

If the surface is super slick, abrade it a bit with sandpaer (rarely necesary after using lacquer thinner)

Get some thin nylon or silk fabric, some womens undergarments work well. You can use pantyhose, but that takes a couple of more layers of fabric.

Spread on a thin layer of Goop http://eclecticproducts.com/goop/adhesives.asp
whichever variety you have on hand. Spread it real thin.

Lay on a patch of nylon or silk fabric that overlaps the tear by about 1/2. inch all around.

Work a bit more goop into the fabric, but keep it thin.

If you had a substantial piece of panty cloth, one layer is usually enough. If you used panty hose add a couple more layers remebering to keep the whole thing thin with only enough Goop to fill the voids in the fabric and keep the surface of the fabric covered.

If you want extra strength, add another layer, keepng things thin.

By using a minumim amount of Goop, the part will be more flexible and stronger.

For repairs that are more cosmetic and don't require as much strength, you can use silicone sealer instead of goop. Black silicone sealer and fabric makes a good looking patch on a black rubber boot.

These techinques work very well on things like shifter boots. I haven't tried them on u-joint boots or other powered machinery boots, but think the goop nylon combo might work. I don't think the silicone sealer would hold up there. It's weaker.

 

:thumbs: Sounds like a well thought-out method.

 

Should they be new or used?

 

Are you going to chew on them or use them for patches?

 

Neither, just wondering if I can use the ones your wife left at my house of if I have to go out and buy a new pair?