Suspension & Brakes Springs | Shocks | Handling | Rotors

Ball joint boot damaged...replacement?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 24, 2010 | 10:43 AM
  #1  
ssbowtie1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Torrance, CA
Default Ball joint boot damaged...replacement?

I have a front end setup with MOOG ball joints/tie rods. I noticed that the lower ball joint boots are very cracked. I have the front suspension apart and would like to replace them.

I heard there were energy suspension boots for lower ball joints but I can't find a part number. Can someone give me a link/part number or other options?
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2010 | 12:56 PM
  #2  
leadfoot4's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,621
Likes: 11
From: Webster, NY
Default

Unfortunately, ES doesn't list a grease boot for either the upper or lower b/js on the 4th gen cars. I just had my car apart, putting new shocks/springs on it, and found my upper b/j boots were torn. I went to the ES site, checked their boot dimension chart for a boot that was close to what I needed, and made it work. I don't, however, know what the diameter of the body is of the lower joint, so I can't help any more than that....
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2010 | 06:06 PM
  #3  
ssbowtie1's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Torrance, CA
Default

Do most people just replace the whole ball joint when the boot goes bad? The ball joint is pretty stiff, so I'd rather just replace the boot if possible.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2010 | 07:48 PM
  #4  
MeentSS02's Avatar
Kleeborp the Moderator™
20 Year Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 10,316
Likes: 6
From: Dayton, OH
Default

I replaced my STOCK ball joints with torn boots because I couldn't verify how long they had been torn, nor could I regrease them if I had been able to install new boots. That being said, I just replaced them in October/November of last year...if my boots are cracked already, I'm gonna be pissed

You might just take the boot and go to an auto parts store (if you can get it off). I replaced one of my tie rod boots this way during the same time frame.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2010 | 06:09 AM
  #5  
leadfoot4's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,621
Likes: 11
From: Webster, NY
Default

The tie rod boots are easy to replace, and Energy Suspension even shows a p/n for the 4th gen F-bodies. However, neither they, nor Prothane, nor Daystar show an applicable part number for the ball joints.

As I said, I used one of the ES boots (p/n 9-13105) for my upper joints. These boots will fit over the body and stud of a 4th gen upper b/j, however they're "too short" for the spindle to hold them in place. To solve that, I cut a 1/4" "slice" of 1/2" ID fuel line, slid it over the stud after installing the boot, and now the spindle will hold the boot in place, with the hose acting as a "shim".

The only thing to do, with respect to the lowers, is to remove the current boot, measure the OD of the b/j and stud, and go to the sizing chart on ES's website.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:35 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE