Eric Buckley

I recently installed a complete S4 front suspension on my S car. I replaced all of the ball joint boots while I was at it. I used the boot from Roger for the upper joints and the unbelievably expensive (over $40 each!!!) Audi boots for the lower joints. The part number of the Audi boot is 431 407 377 A. I bought and installed the boots I am using in 2011, but the suspension didn't get installed in the car until this past summer. I see that 928Intl is showing a boot with that part number for $10 now! Anyway, the problem I have is that after not very many miles, but including 4 DE days, the lower boots have crept up at the small end. I have tried pulling them back down, but they just spring back up when I release them. A picture of the situation is below. Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions as to how I might fill in the gap, or just forget about it?




Boot crept up

ammonman

Strange but should be fine as protecting the ball and socket part of the joint from dirt and water is more critical than protecting the tapered stud.

Mike

Mrmerlin

put some dow corning 111 into the area with a Q tip this will protect the shaft and seal out water.

From the picture it appears that the small diameter spring collar isnt installed,
this would keep the boot on a smaller diameter of the pin

Eric Buckley

Thanks for the input gents. The small clip is present. You made me doubt it so i wriggled under there to confirm. Maybe it's slipping because the clip is blue . I think I'll try burping some of the grease out, and then try pulling it down again. If I can't get it to stay down I will try the 111.




Blue clip

drwhosc

You do need to pack the boot with grease. It looks like it is riding up the bolt. I just did mine, and things worked will, but I did not have to change the boot as it came with the Ball joint,

Mrmerlin

you may wind up poking a hole in the boot,
just smear some DC111 on and and drive it

Captain_Slow

Stan has often recommended the Corning DC111 for different applications. It's meant for lubricating O-rings in SCUBA equipment, so it's intended for use in salty and high pressure conditions. It's interesting stuff. At first it appears to be Vaseline, but the consistency is stiffer and stickier. I've used it on Bowden cable O-ring at the trans, the O-ring between the ATF reservoir and pan, and oil-level dip stick. The stuff stays where you put it.