Front Lower Ball Joints

[PaulW]

I put this in ask a Factory Five Tech but figured someone else may have something to add as well.

About 40 days ago I mounted my FFR front LCAs and then proceeded to finish the rest of the front and rear suspension etc. I took delivery of the LCAs in late January and kept them in the box until I mounted them.

Today I was looking at them and thinking of filling all grease points with grease. The rubber boots on the LCAs looked to be check cracked like a tire that had been left outside forever. I decided to but grease in and started with the passenger side. As I put the grease in it started to come out all through the boot at the point of the cracks (mid-boot).

Is this normal? Did I wait too long to grease them? I mean the old tie rod ends off my donor had been on the car for probably 15 years and they are fine. What gives?

Can the boot be replaced and if so where would I find some? I understand that the ball joint is a press fit so do I need to take the LCAs off and take them to a shop with a press and then buy new ones. If so what is the part number?

Any help or insight that someone could provide would be much appreciated.

[Jester]

Paul

Although this is reply is not too timely - I have noticed the exact same thing with the ball joint boots. Is this common or is there an issue I am not aware of?

Has anyone else noticed the same thing - are the ball joint boots old or what could be the cause - I will post pictures shortly.

Thx

[Jester]

On the FFcars forum - several owners have reported issues with the lower ball joint boots cracking - photos included on the link (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/120-factory-five-33-hot-rod-forum-sponsored-e-t-wheels/263537-lower-ball-joint-boots-cracking.html).

Replacement part 9-13130G. As I am replacing the control arms, I will replace both the lower and upper boots.

[Carlos C]

What color is everyone's defective boots? They are black on the photos posted on the other forum. My LCAs were on back-order, and just received them about a month or so ago. My boots are blue, and they're not cracked, even when crushing them.
30944 30945

The problem I have with my LCAs is that the powder coat was chipped in the same place on both arms, right out of the box. I suspect that the damage occurred while the ball joints were being pressed in. I'll have to sand down the chipped areas, and apply some paint.
30946

It seems that FFR might have changed the boot supplier (or I just got lucky with mine). Now, if they would change the procedure for pressing the ball joints on...

Paul:

To answer your question, there's no need to take the arms off the car and press out the ball joints, unless the joints themselves are damaged. All you need to do is to separate the ball joint from the spindle. Auto parts stores sell the boots, but they are not usually of the best quality, although they should last you more than 40 days... If you don't mind spending a little extra, buy an aftermarket version, like the ones mentioned above. I believe that those by Energy Suspension are made of polyurethane, and not rubber, so they should last you even longer.

Carlos

[Jester]

Carlos

I believe the ones that have failed are black - as in the photos (my CA boots that failed are black).