Replacing the lower ball-joint boot

[AlphaAssault]

So a few weeks ago, the lower ball joint boot on the GSX was torn. I have since driven it, and only now am I getting around to replacing the boot. From the looks of things, it doesnt appear that much, if any, grease has leaked out of the boot yet. However, to be on the safe side i am replacing the boot anyway. has anyone ever done this? is there anything particularly tricky about replacing the boot? and while i have the boot off, is there any way i can test to make sure the joint itself is still in good condition?

 

[turbodsm_125]

its a super stright foward repair. just un bolt the ball joint from the lower control arm and then take the boot off. slip the new boot on and fill it wilh grease. more than likely you ball joint is fine if the boot was not torn for a long period of time and was full of grease

 

[AlphaAssault]

from the lower control arm? I dont need to press the joint out or anything like that, do i?

 

[asexton6969]

No the boot slides up over the stud. So just take the nut off, drop the control arm down. Slide the boot off, new boot on, bolt it back up.

 

[AlphaAssault]

So i finally got my new ball-joint boot in. I go out to swap the boots, but the damn bolt on the ball joint is stuck in the hub assembly. i smacked it with a hammer for like 20 minutes, and got nothing. should i upgrade from a hammer to a mallet? does anyone have any ideas on how to procede? I dont think it was rust-welded in there, it just didnt wanna come out.

 

[turbosax2]

If you still can't get it out with the mallet, go to Autozone and rent a pickle fork.

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Or even better, a tool like this. I'm not sure where to rent these though.

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American Presto Deluxe Heavy-duty Lever-type Ball joint & Tie Rod End Remover : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories

 

[kingjust]

If you still can't get it out with the mallet, go to Autozone and rent a pickle fork.

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Or even better, a tool like this. I'm not sure where to rent these though.

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American Presto Deluxe Heavy-duty Lever-type Ball joint & Tie Rod End Remover : JC Whitney: Auto Parts & Accessories

Agreeing with the pickle fork, since you are replacing the boot, and pickle forks destroys boots ... get the fork so you can pop out the stud (because it has a taper). Don't forget new cotter pin and castle nut if you can get them. Also, PBBlaster the hell out of it, trust me... i did all 4 control arms in the front, and boy was it fun!

 

[AlphaAssault]

Those tools are for removing the whole joint from the control arm, correct? Im replacing the boot, so I just need to seperate the bolt at the top of the ball joint from where it attaches to the hub assembly. PB blaster you say? hmmm...

 

[turbosax2]

Those tools are for removing the control arm from the car. I've never changed a boot but I was under the impression the control arm had to be removed first.

 

[woooop]

You dont need that tool, and i dont recomend using that tool. Un thred the bolt alittle bit and leave the bolt on the threds and tap it on the side and once or twice on the top of the bolt and it should just pop out.

 

[evileclipse909]

Take a pry bar and pry down on the control arm while at the same time smack the knuckle with a good sized hammer. dont b afraid to use some force.

 

[Mr Peepers]

You dont need that tool, and i dont recomend using that tool. Un thred the bolt alittle bit and leave the bolt on the threds and tap it on the side and once or twice on the top of the bolt and it should just pop out.

With 18 y.o. cars its not always that easy

I've tried both ways, and destroyed the bolt on the ball joint even after putting a spare nut near the top of the threads to tap(more like pound) on. Not very easy to get a good swing on it either IIRC. Luckily, I was replacing the entire thing anyway. A pickle bar was the only thing that worked in my case(Northern car).

IMO a pickle bar is the way to go especially if you're replacing the boot in the first place. If you can get a hold of the other tool I'd think that'd work pretty well too.

Maybe you'll have better luck since it's most likely been in Texas its life.

 

[AlphaAssault]

Well, what i was doing is placing the end of an 8-inch long chissel on the lower control arm, and hitting that with a regular hammer. the bolt i need to free is *directly* below the axle, so hitting the bolt directly isnt exactly an option. some pb blaster sounds good, as does a mallat and a longer pole.