HI,

Are there any Skoda mechanics or parts storemen on here who could give an opinion on whether a CV gaiter is a genuine Skoda part if I were to e-mail them a photo with a pm?

I suspect that I have been sold a pattern part, in a Skoda box and for Skoda prices. My opinion is based on having replaced the other gaiter 2 years ago; I first bought a pattern part from Eurocarparts but found it was hard, shiney, plasticey and very stiff (like the material cable ties are made from). I returned it for a refund and then bought the genuine Skoda part from a main dealer. The replacement was softer, rubber-like material, matte and more flexible.

The part I've just bought is hard, shiney, plasticey and very stiff (see above).

I don't want to get irate and shouty about it on a public forum until I've had an opinion from someone who is more familiar with the genuine article.

It could be that the one I fitted 2 years ago was a pattern part or that Skoda have changed their suppliers. It could also be that there's something very fishy going on.

Any volunteers?

TIA.

OT.

Edited 18 October, 201213 yr by Onetap

In my past experience with Golfs and replacing CV boots that the genuine VAG boot was a harder shinier plastic and lasted well. The pattern parts were often softer, more rubbery and only lasted two years max.

This is from about 7-8 years ago though.

HTH

The Genuine ones are not rubber, but a tough plastic.

As said they're not affected by salt spray etc anything like the rubber ones that degrade.

As said the genuine ones are the harder plastic which make the slip out the jubilee clip easier. I has that problem with my Leon. The boot was always slipping off, no damage to the plastic but all the grease would fall out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk whilst in a taxi rank

As already said the hard plastic ones are much better, harder wearing and they don't restrict movement at all the steering system operates with a force of up to 250NM of torque so a stiffer CV boot won't stop it turning.

Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2

Edited 18 October, 201213 yr by 07 vRS Taxi

As others have said, the genuine ones are hard and shiny and tough as old boots. You can tell a genuine one by the type of retaining clip - you need a special tool to tighten them up properly, and once done properly there is absolutely no chance of it ever coming off.

Many thanks for the replies, that is interesting.

Now I suspect that I was ripped off, probably with the CV boot bought 2 years ago and, quite possibly, also the one bought recently. That is not what you'd expect if you're paid a Skoda main dealer the price of genuine parts. I'd have been better off sticking with Eurocarparts.

I suppose the scam is that they use the genuine CV boots for repairs and put cheap pattern parts in the empty boxes with the VW/Audi marked tube of grease.

The moral is to refuse parts offered in opened boxes.

Just to follow up on this, I replaced the defective CV boot. The driveshaft seems to be the original since it had a VW/Audi/Skoda label on it with the appropriate date. The defective boot was the same as the one I'd just bought, with IAI, IBI, ICI markings spaced equally around the top. I'll look closer when I've cleaned the grease off. I'll have to check the one I fitted 2 years ago, which I suspect is the pattern non-Skoda part. I intend to take this up with Skoda UK if I find this is correct.

It seems the inner hose clamp had probably been over-tightened, the plastic had separated at the edge of the clamp, every other part was as good as new. It was 7 years old, so I'm not complaining about that.