Ball joint boot torn!

[27rocks]

Yo, i have a torn ball joint boot and i was wondering if there was a diy on this. I mean i can do it, but i want to know how to take off the torn one without messing up the washer that keeps it on so i can reuse it. If anyone has any pics please post them up so i can start on this asap.

Thanks,

Rob.

[metalviper]

which boot? i thought the washer was inside the boot? i just used a hammer and flat head screw driver

[skoolnu]

new ball joint.

[OPTIMISE]

new ball joint.

X2 plus the whole knuckle. if the boot has been torn for any amount of time the ball joint is probably already moving and is ruined. the ball joint is one piece, part of the steering knuckle, you need to replace the entire thing. you need to rent a ball joint puller from autozone for this...

[ep_hatcher_510]

upgrade to roll center adjusters.

[sLiCk]

The ball joint is NOT part of the knuckle. If the ball joint boot is torn, you'll need to replace the ball joint. And x2 upgrading to RCA's.

[shadowmd]

I had a torn boot for over a year. i finally replaced the boot and the joint is still fine. still currently on the same ball joint.

[Heitzke]

Try replacing the boot first, it's a $2-3 part and isn't hard to replace. Just use a balljoint fork to pop off the joint, and use a hammer+flathead to pop off the boot. Make sure to get some grease so you can pack the boot as well. A torn boot isn't a good enough reason to upgrade to RCA's IMO. A ruined balljoint is, but not a $3 torn rubber boot.

[shadowmd]

i used a socket to put the ball joint on.....one that was big enough....just be careful

[27rocks]

Ill check the ball joint but im pretty sure its still in good shape. I don't really drive the car in any dusty areas and its never been through water or anything like that so it should still be ok. Its a small tear but i want to get it fixed. im going to do this today so ill post up how it went. Thanks for all the post guys :mcool:

[skoolnu]

X2 plus the whole knuckle. if the boot has been torn for any amount of time the ball joint is probably already moving and is ruined. the ball joint is one piece, part of the steering knuckle, you need to replace the entire thing. you need to rent a ball joint puller from autozone for this...

if you do need a new ball joint, it is the whole knuckle like optimise said. I did mine last year. Honda guy walked in the shop with a bit bigger box than i expected. cant buy just the balljoint i guess, it comes on the knuckle.

[27rocks]

Ok i just took everything apart and the ball joint is still fine... im having trouble putting the new boot on. Any advice on how to do it wothout fucking it up?

[shadowmd]

if u have a socket that the boot would fit in, use that with gentle hammer taps....thats what i did :mcool:\



put the boot over the joint, then the socket over the boot and tap down til it seats. i can't remember what size it was that i used tho :mfrown:

[27rocks]

Ahh i tried that but the socket i have is to short.. i need a deep socket!!! :mmad:

[shadowmd]

damn, that sux, cause that makes it soo easy lol

[OPTIMISE]

The ball joint is NOT part of the knuckle. If the ball joint boot is torn, you'll need to replace the ball joint. And x2 upgrading to RCA's.

I just did mine. its one piece bro.

[27rocks]

ok i went and bought a socket and it went on in two seconds... Thanks for the help guys everythig worked out great.

[Heitzke]

Yeah, the ball joint and knuckle are one piece...

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/catimgs/14S5S0_B27.gif

[phill]

you can still buy the ball joint itself.. and they come apart so we could argue this one piece two piece bs all day

i just put in a set of rca's what a pita

[03Si757]

ok i went and bought a socket and it went on in two seconds... Thanks for the help guys everythig worked out great.

What size socket did you use? I have a torn boot too and might just try this route.

[ep3moschini]

The ball joint is NOT part of the knuckle. If the ball joint boot is torn, you'll need to replace the ball joint.

you fail

you cant get just the ball joint from honda/auto zone/car quest/advanced auto you have to buy the knuckle. . . trust me ive done both sides it sucks and its extremely expensive, if you have the down time just do the J's RCA's is cost about the same to do them than it dose to buy a whole knuckle :mfrown:

[OPTIMISE]

you can still buy the ball joint itself.. and they come apart so we could argue this one piece two piece bs all day


alright tough guy

[27rocks]

What size socket did you use? I have a torn boot too and might just try this route.

It was a deep socket 1 1/8". It worked great i just used a small hammer to get it on a little bit at a time. Its actually really easy to do but my freaking balljoint didnt want to come out of my lower control arm so it took some serious hammering to make it break loose.

[03Si757]

you fail

you cant get just the ball joint from honda/auto zone/car quest/advanced auto you have to buy the knuckle. . . trust me ive done both sides it sucks and its extremely expensive, if you have the down time just do the J's RCA's is cost about the same to do them than it dose to buy a whole knuckle :mfrown:

Why does Pep Boys and Advanced Auto sell ball joints?

[Ba82Ep3]

Yeap, you can get the balljoint individually. Both Moog and TRW offer the joint all by itself. Would anyone like part#'s? The prices usually range from 40$ to 60$... depending on where you get it.

[phill]

alright tough guy

:mrolleyes:

[skoolnu]

only thing i buy at pepboys is wax... i just dont trust some of the aftermarket junk they sell. I only like OEM or high quality parts.

[thisisagame24]

when my ball joint broke i went ot autozone and they sold me just the ball joint. not the whole knuckle like some of your guys are saying. i think it cost me like 30 bucks for the part. ima dig around and see if i can find the reciept to get the part number for you guys. so there is no one else buying the whole knuckle just to replace a ball joint

[solidcoma18]

Can u guys give me the part number for the lower ball joint, somene here said that bought it in Pep Boys or Advance? Thanks Guys!!!

[whatsvtec]

http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/MC/6014-07032795.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ff&utm_term=2002-2005+Honda+Civic+Ball+Joint+Moog+K90493+Lower+02-05+Honda+Ball+Joint+04+2004&utm_content=MC&utm_campaign=PartsGeek+Google+Base&fp=pp&gbm=a|

I would go with moog over the cheaper aftermarket replacements.
Honda only sells the whole knuckle assy.
If you have the $$ and are lowered 2" or more get a set of Roll Center Adjusting ball joints from Buddy Club or Hardrace.

[tinman5]

When i did my 5 lug swap i bought the Moog balljoints at Advance. Just about $36 a piece.
I don't think i have ever seen Honda or Nissan sell individual balljoints for any car in the last 20'ish years I've worked on them. But I assure you balljoints from Moog (which generally come with grease zerts @ the bottom) and TRW are available. And they are both OE suppliers to numerous manufacturers world wide.