Lower ball joint boot torn/ cause for concern?

[mikepier]

When I was changing the oil over the weekend on my 99XLT, I noticed the lower ball joint boot was split open. I don't know how long its been like this, but it could not be long because I usually check these things whenever I get a chance, but how much of a problem is this? The ball joints are fine. Is there a cause for concern or is there a fix for this? Or does the entire ball joint need to be replaced?
Thanks

 

[my98nnj]

FWIW, mine have been torn open for a little over a year. There's still tight, but replacement is def. in the near future.

 

[gruss01]

Mine are too on the 98 no telling how long they've been like that but everything is still tight, be nice if there was a way to just fix the boot...but I'll prolly do like everyone else and just replace when they get sloppy.

 

[TheJackal]

Same here, been torn for over a year now. I was going to have the joints changed with something else at a local shop but he said they're still good. Either way, they'll have to be done soon.

You do have to replace the whole joint, as far as I can tell there's no way to replace the boot and you can't grease these anyway.

 

[gmanpaint]

Energy suspension sells a red boot cover you can use for these for $10. I got mine at Autozone off the shelf. I just got them and have not yet had a chance to install them, I will post back up afterward.

 

[gruss01]

^^
Interesting, let us know how they work. I mean if you can do it without disassembling anything great!! If you have to take stuff apart then might as well throw new ones on there.

 

[Justin-561]

Be careful, mine went for 1-1/2 years ripped before i noticed (someone esle usually changed my oil) I went down a lot of dirty dusty roads and had to change mine to save on tire cost and the horride sound they made. As long as you're driving on paved roads without huge amounts of dirt I would say you could easily get a longer life then mine. depending on where you get I spent $975 on parts,labor, and 2 front tires(before fixing it they were badly wore on only the inside).

 

[Rick]

Energy suspension sells a red boot cover you can use for these for $10. I got mine at Autozone off the shelf. I just got them and have not yet had a chance to install them, I will post back up afterward.

Any update on the boot covers?

 

[donalds]

I measured mine and then bought from different sellers on ebay
silicone boots

Well worth it

The reason why our boots rip is because we're not putting synthetic base grease in
The rubber reacts with Petroleum

 

[J_C]

^^
Interesting, let us know how they work. I mean if you can do it without disassembling anything great!! If you have to take stuff apart then might as well throw new ones on there.

Well you do have to take it apart enough to get the control arm w/BJ off the knuckle, at which point it's just pressing the old BJ out and new one in that is different between doing just the boot and the whole BJ.

I'd do the whole BJ if they are originals that are now 24 years old... depending on mileage and road quality. Potholes rather than boot failure, took mine out.

Edit: Wait a minute... something strange going on, did Rick just bump a topic from 2009 or is there something funny going on again with changing date stamps on posts, like I vaguely recall happening in a different topic not too long ago?

 

[gmanpaint]

Just seen this as I wasn't getting any notifications for the forum. I hope that wasn't a question asked in 2009, and I am just now seeing it? LOL

Any update on the boot covers?

I can't recall that far back to be honest.

 

[Rick]

Well you do have to take it apart enough to get the control arm w/BJ off the knuckle, at which point it's just pressing the old BJ out and new one in that is different between doing just the boot and the whole BJ.

I'd do the whole BJ if they are originals that are now 24 years old... depending on mileage and road quality. Potholes rather than boot failure, took mine out.

Edit: Wait a minute... something strange going on, did Rick just bump a topic from 2009 or is there something funny going on again with changing date stamps on posts, like I vaguely recall happening in a different topic not too long ago?

I was looking for some info when I found this thread and was interested in the results.

That's all.

What you may have seen happen in the past is a thread bump. I will occasionally bump a thread with no replies especially if it was posted in the middle of the night. I can bump threads without adding a post

 

[410Fortune]

I’m yelling

iF YOU ARE GOING TO DROP THE KNUCKLE ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE BOOT GO THE EXTRA STEP AND REPLACE THE JOINT!!!!