RDuck,

Thanks for the cheery reply, compadre. Just because I don't want to do something doesn't mean I won't. I ask questions to better understand the situation so I can decide the best course of action. So until I feel I understand things, I'll keep asking questions, thank you.

js305,

Thanks for your thoughts regarding the crosslink - I'll check that out.

 

don't bother changing the boot just leave it until the joint has play then change the ball joint. there no point in changing the boot. there is no way to put grease back in the joint so the boot wont help much. the rivets can be drilled out, torched out, chiseled off or ground off.


p.s. don't mind R DUCK he thinks his word is gospel and everyone should listen to him.

 

Lol. No. I dont. I just dont like stupid.
If your going to take the time to take a ball joint apart to change the boot (and you have to buy a ball joint to get a boot) why be so lazy as to not just finish the job and replace the damn joint.

Has nothing to do with my word.
Has everything to do with you not being lazy.
You have the joint. You have it apart. Change it. Simple.

 

And Hazel, dont be a jackass.

 

Thanks for finally answering my question.

It's got nothing to do with laziness. Or your perceived level of "laziness". My time is valuable, and I don't have much of it to spend on vehicles. The joint is tight with no play or slop. The boot is cracked. If I can change the boot in half the time and for half the money, all is good. The problem is fixed and I didn't bother wasting my effort on something that wasn't broken. That's called an efficient use of time and money. Now, I can't buy just a boot so that changes the equation.

Before lashing out when you *think* someone is being lazy or stupid, maybe stop and consider how they are approaching the problem. It could be different from yours, but still valid. There's more than one way to skin a cat lol

 

Best option is go to a wrecker where they may have a truck torn apart and get a good boot free. They can't rightfully sell a used ball joint anyways so a loose boot is worthless.
Then you can spend your two hours replacing the boot.
Or spend $65 (or whatever a new joint costs) and spend 2 1/2 hrs putting a new joint in.
I've replaced a crown nut when an inspection said I needed a new ball joint.
New nut and cotter pin and voila. Reinspection passed. All of five minutes.