Unfortunately, the stock (Beartracks) inner-tube strut seals didn't last even 10 hours. Both became swollen from oil blowby, and both became torn and cracked. I increased the dimensions of the metal flange by 3/16 inch in all dimensions and covered the edges with catapillar grommet. To replace them is problematic, as it requires raising the gear entirely off the ground, so that the strut can be disconnected in order to allow the seal to be slipped over the strut. I decided to try making a naugahyde boot with a velcro detachable slit. I made a poster board & masking tape prototype, and slit it in quarters along the long axis in order to make patterns. I then dusted off my nonexistent sewing skills and used a 1955 Singer 15-91 and polyester thread and copied the patterns onto the naugahyde. After sewing them together, I used a tie wrap to seal the bottom, and flipped the boot up, marked where the flange should go on the material and hemmed the edges. After installing the strut boots, the first flight went off without a hitch.
