Front Ball Joints (top) torn rubber boots

[EasyRhino]

100K miles on my 2002 Limited AWD 4.6 V8, had the tires off today for cleaning and inspection, noted that both front top ball joint rubber boots are torn.

I suppose that this means that the ball joints themselves will require replacment more sooner than later.

How hard of a job is this? The ball joints do not appear to be a bolt-in to the top control arm.

Last, at 100K miles, should I just go through the front suspension 100%. I did both front wheel bearings about 25K miles ago, so those are good. If doing the entire front suspension, what parts should I have in hand besides the top ball joints and the shocks? I thinking add to that the tie rod ends.

Anything else?

 

[jrford]

There is another thread with pictures he found them to be pressable . . .
just look for rust or cracked boots, i just did the whole front end on a heep, thats 12 yrs old and 150k on it, the thing has like a dozen ball joints on it, half were fine while the others had cracked boots or rust . . imo just do what broke .

 

[dkchrist]

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The ball joints will probably be ok for a while but WILL need replaced in the near future if you have the money and time now would be a great time to do it.

As for the 100k, it is not a bad idea but probably not entirely necessary.