Apparatus for fitting a boot to a universal joint

A tool for press fitting an endless band clamp encompassing the circular end of a flexible boot onto a cylindrical surface on the inner end of the outer race of a constant velocity joint, the clamp having a major portion with an inner diameter greater than the circumference of the surface and surrounding a rib on the end of the boot,

• said tool comprising
• a multi-part main plate member having at least two parts which cooperate to define a circular aperture of two parts which cooperate to define a circular aperture of a diameter less than the outer diameter and greater than the inner diameter of the major portion of the band clamp and also greater than the outer diameter of the end of the boot,
• means for releasably retaining said parts of said main plate member together in co-planar relationship whereby said parts can be separated to set said main plate member around the end of the boot and then joined,
• a secondary plate member having a central opening therethrough adapted to fit to the outer race opposite the cylindrical surface and in parallel relation to said main plate member,
• means on said secondary plate member supporting said main plate member outward from and coaxial with said secondary plate member whereby said main plate member is located around the band clamp and spaced from the boot when said secondary plate member is fitted to the outer race, and
• means for moving said main plate member and secondary plate member together causing said main plate member to advance coaxially and uniformly along the cylindrical surface to force the band clamp and the end of the boot fitted thereto onto said surface and simultaneously to compress the end of the boot into tight sealing engagement with the surface of the outer race.

A tool for press fitting a circular end of a flexible boot onto a cylindrical surface on the inner end of the outer race of a constant velocity joint using an endless band clamp having a major portion of U-shape in cross-section and being greater in diameter than the circumference of the surface and less than the outer diameter of the end of the boot, said major portion embracing a rib on the end of the boot, and the clamp having an integral tip dimensioned to be press fit onto the surface,

• said tool comprising
• a main multi-part plate member having a circular aperture of a diameter less than the outer diameter and greater than the inner diameter of the major portion of the band clamp and also greater than the outer diameter of the end of the boot,
• means locateable coaxially around said outer race opposite the cylindrical surface for supporting and locating said main plate member on the inner end of the outer race coaxially therewith and in position fitted around the end of the boot with a clearance and engaging a side of the band clamp, and
• means for pressing said main plate member coaxially and uniformly along the cylindrical surface of the outer race while moving said main plate member and said supporting and locating means toward each other to force the band clamp and the end of the boot fitted thereto onto said surface, and to compress the end of the boot into tight sealing engagement with the surface of the outer race, without pinching the boot between the plate member and the surface.