AO

While I was swapping out my suspension on Monday, I replaced all 4 ball joint boots (they were all cracked/split). So I did a writeup. Feedback is appreciated. I plan to do more writeups in this fasion - and yes, Randy, maybe even a step-by-step RKE installation writeup.

http://andrewmolson.googlepages.com/balljointbootr&r

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Nice write-up Andrew. Thanks.

ckabee1

Andrew, nice write-up! Easy to follow with high res pics.

Thanks for the time and effort.

Tenshieternal

Great write up, it will be helpful when I change out mine.

Thanks

Mike Frye

Andrew, nice write-up. The pics are worth a million $. Got any pics of that inside-out trick? I'm sure it's self explanatory when you're looking at it, but I'm at work and can't picture it (all I see is clutch locator pins when I close my eyes!)

SteveG

Andrew: Thanks, certainly helps. I would re-title it "Ball Joints for Dummies" (for me) and include a pic of the separator in action. I suppose that may be obvious to some, but I need all the help I can get.

karl ruiter

Where did you get the boots? I thought they were not available.

AO

Boots are available from 928 Specialists, but... the lower boot is NLA, so you have to use the upper one. That's why it's just a tad bit small and is a real PITA to get on. I literally spent over an hour trying to push the lip of the boot into the machined recess to no avail. Then a stroke of genius came over me and I realized if I turn it inside-out, I can flip the entire lip up and over the recess and then I can slide it down into the groove. Think condom.

Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of that method.

Imo000

Did you pack the balljoint with grease too or only the cap?

AO

Both...

auzivision

Nice write up. I wish I had looked at this before doing mine last summer.

The hardest part I remember was getting the bigger retaining clip back on without the boot slipping off. I was using a small screw driver and needle nose. I had to push the clip around as apposed to pull it over the widest part with a pick and ended up poking a small hole in the new boot which I presume will tear some day. The other thing was trying to keep the grease from squirting out. I packed it pretty full, but a good portion worked its way out before it was done.

Do you have to get an alignment after doing this?

Imo000

Excellent! I don't remember reading it in the write up. Might want to mention it.

AO

You shouldn't The only things that will affect alignment will be right height, camber, caster, and Toe. None of which are touched when doing this.

I modified it to reflect this. Thanks.

Bill Ball

Thanks, Andrew. Someday I'll get to do this, but as of now, my balljoints and boots still look and feel like new. Weird car.

The Forgotten On

Time to resurrect a thread.

The passenger side lower ball joint boot on my 81 (replaced aluminum with steel) has torn and I need to find a replacement for the boot as the LBJ itself is a little over a year old.

Does anyone know of a viable replacement for an earlier car? And yes I have searched all over RL but haven't had any luck.