Lower ball joint tear...repairable?

[Dom]

I needed to drop my steering knuckle while replacing my axle. I tried using a ball joint fork which worked buuuuuut, it must have been a hair to small and I tore the boot a bit. Any advice on the best way to repair or replace this? Thank you

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[Brian_B]

Mine are tore the same way - one of these days I mean to replace them. Until that day I just keep them full of grease. Been a year now - I may be tempting fate though

 

[Fordified1]

Mine are tore the same way - one of these days I mean to replace them. Until that day I just keep them full of grease. Been a year now - I may be tempting fate though

What really sucks is the lower ball joint isn’t replaceable. Have to replace the LCA assembly. There may be a way to replace the boot. But I IDK.

 

[Brian_B]

Yeah I figure there’s probably a way to replace the boot but haven’t dug into it too deeply - watching this to see if someone smarter than me has figured it out

 

[Dom]

I plan on going to the ford parts dept tomorrow and see if they sell the boot. I know the joint isn't replaceable but I can't see why the boot wouldn't be available. Or I might just fill it with grease then use some rubber sealant to close her up.

 

[Ducati1098]

I plan on going to the ford parts dept tomorrow and see if they sell the boot. I know the joint isn't replaceable but I can't see why the boot wouldn't be available. Or I might just fill it with grease then use some rubber sealant to close her up.

I’ll save you a trip. Ford doesn’t offer the boot separate. Only the whole control arm.

 

[Brian_B]

I’ll save you a trip. Ford doesn’t offer the boot separate. Only the whole control arm.

I was hoping one of the generic aftermarket boots might fit but hadn’t looked into it closely yet

Guess I can always use a ziploc bag and two zip ties.

 

[Dom]

I’ll save you a trip. Ford doesn’t offer the boot separate. Only the whole control arm.

Of course! Why would they make it that easy. I am not replacing my perfectly good LCA for this little tear. All of the factory grease is still in there (I literally tore it this afternoon). I will add some more grease then seal it up with some (maybe layers) of rubber sealant. Once I tighten that nut back in, it should smash everything together good and tight. At least thats the hope. I should've just looked up the proper joint tool to use. Lesson learned.

 

[Dom]

I'll snap some pics of the repair to post, then what she looks like when she's tightened up.

 

[Brian_B]

I'll snap some pics of the repair to post, then what she looks like when she's tightened up.

Yeah interested to see. I check mine often, they have been torn a while but always stayed full of grease and never looked or acted bad - so hasn’t been high on my priorities.

But very interested to see how your fix comes out!

 

[Fat Friar]

I’ve had success in the past using an old bicycle tube and tube repair kit to cover a hole on these types of boots. Granted it was on a Subaru, but it worked great and lasted years.

 

[Squatch]

 

[V1Rotate]

https://a.co/d/bPLzpcR

So I've repaired many a CV boot with this stuff.. would imagine it would do a ball joint boot too.

For those not wanting to open the amazon link it's GearAid Aquaseal + FD

 

[Dom]

https://a.co/d/bPLzpcR

So I've repaired many a CV boot with this stuff.. would imagine it would do a ball joint boot too.

For those not wanting to open the amazon link it's GearAid Aquaseal + FD

Interesting product. I was planning on using Permatex rubber sealant. This seems more like a glue. Is that accurate? Maybe I'll buy this and apply it, once it cures, I could also apply the rubber sealant. We'll see. LOL

I also found a few LCA's for a little over $200, but I very much would rather try a repair befiore dishing out the extra coin.

 

[V1Rotate]

Interesting product. I was planning on using Permatex rubber sealant. This seems more like a glue. Is that accurate? Maybe I'll buy this and apply it, once it cures, I could also apply the rubber sealant. We'll see. LOL

I also found a few LCA's for a little over $200, but I very much would rather try a repair befiore dishing out the extra coin.

Yes you mix the glue and hardener then sort of brush it on. Goes on with the Viscosity of thick snot and then when dry is rubbery pliable. Works well on the half shaft cv that spins do id guess it'll perform well in this application too

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