Front Upper Ball Joint Boots

[kirby]

I purchased a partially assembled kit and the previous owner had the upper control arms assembled incorrectly. This put the boots in an odd bind and both of them have tears in them.

The kit was a complete kit with FFR Components for the front suspension.

Can someone point me to where to get replacement boots?

[cc2Arider]

Hey Kirby,

These work great 192887

They almost seem like they won't fit well while loose, but fit perfectly after you cinch up the nut onto the spindle :)

Craig C

[toadster]

yep, Chrysler parts :)

Energy Suspension 5.13102G Ball Joint Dust Boot for Chrysler (https://amzn.to/49XteHY) about $8

[rponfick]

common problem.

[Jpruss221]

I have the same issue, thanks guys for the recommendation. Time to take things back apart. arg..

[kirby]

Thank you all

[scrubs]

[QUOTE=kirby;543629]I purchased a partially assembled kit and the previous owner had the upper control arms assembled incorrectly. This put the boots in an odd bind and both of them have tears /QUOTE]

I built mine from scratch, delivered Jan '23....boots were toast in 500 miles.

Just replace.....

[BRRT]

The Energy Suspension boot installed
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189867&d=1694207263

[Ted G]

Same issue with the cheap blue boots. Looks like my winter list of projects is growing. Any tips on changing these out without having to get an alignment? Seems pretty straight forward.

[BRRT]

If the ball joint is in good condition there should be no reason to get an alignment.
1.) Remove cotter pin and loosen nut. Leave nut screwed on stud by a thread or 2.
2.) Hit the knuckle on the side at the ball joint stud with a big freaking hammer (BFH)
3.) Stud should pop free of knuckle.
4.) Pry off old boot, replace with new boot (greasy)
5.) Reassemble, tighten nut, add new cotter pin.

[toadster]

are the lower boots part of this package as well? or another kit?

[BRRT]

There are a set of lower boots in the kit. I do not know if they fit the lower ball joints in the FFR lower control arms.
My lower ball joint boots seem to be in good shape, and are far more robust than the paper thin uppers.

[AC Bill]

So BRRRT with these ES boots, aren't they supposed to fit over the lip on the UCA? What creates the seal at that point otherwise? Are they tucked up inside the ring instead?

Almost anything has to be better than the original boots that came with the FFR supplied ball joints, back when I built my MK3.1. Trouble with those was there was no way to keep a nice tight seal at the control arm. They were too stiff a rubber, and not enough lip on the UCA to slide the boot over. Same issue with the bottom ball joint boot.


The Energy Suspension boot installed
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189867&d=1694207263

[BRRT]

Bill,
The Energy Suspension boot fits over the smooth body of the upper ball joint, below the threads. It protrudes through the UCA and the boot slides over it.
I stopped pumping the grease gun when the boot started to swell. It may be possible to blow the boot off if one got carried away with the grease gun.

[FDLWproject]

+1 vote for the Energy suspension boots. Had to replace mine while building and they’re great quality.

[toadster]

these are the lower replacements as well

Energy Suspension- 9.13130G BALLJOINT BOOT (https://amzn.to/47QqP0o) only $4 right now!

[gbranham]

I just did this upgrade this past weekend, swapping the craptacular blue stockers for these Energy Suspension replacements. However, in looking at pics above, I realize I installed the lowers on my UCAs. I assumed incorrectly that all four in the package were identical, and just grabbed two and installed them. My dumb luck I'd install both the lowers. Ugh. Oh well, easy swap this weekend.

193954193955193956

[Ted G]

I also just did this upgrade. The boots do fit differently, but do fit. You can see the terrible blue FFR supplied uppers installed and once I pulled them out here:
193962 193963


Then, the new ones installed:
193964


I'd recommend that all new builders just ditch the FFR supplied ones as they WILL crack very soon.

Btw, the blue FFR supplied lowers seem perfectly good.

[toadster]

lower boot fitment is spot on

https://i.ibb.co/BKq3Mn2/IMG-0535.jpg (https://ibb.co/BKq3Mn2)

new upper/lower on driver and passenger side
https://i.ibb.co/ngpKqQf/IMG-0537.jpg (https://ibb.co/ngpKqQf) https://i.ibb.co/ftV9B05/IMG-0538.jpg (https://ibb.co/ftV9B05)

[cv2065]

Toadster - Out of the 5.13102 Energy box, there are two different boots. 13009 and 13024. The 13024 has the extended top area on it. Which one did you use for the top and bottom? Hard to tell from the pics. Did the bottom ones just pop out? They look 'pressed' in.

[toadster]

Toadster - Out of the 5.13102 Energy box, there are two different boots. 13009 and 13024. The 13024 has the extended top area on it. Which one did you use for the top and bottom? Hard to tell from the pics. Did the bottom ones just pop out? They look 'pressed' in.

the top ones have the longer tip (if that makes sense)

the bottom ones are flatter (see pic)
https://i.ibb.co/BKq3Mn2/IMG-0535.jpg (https://ibb.co/BKq3Mn2)
https://ibb.co/BKq3Mn2

yes, the original bottom boots had a pressed in spring clip around them... will see how these new ones hold grease

[UKSNAKE]

Do these hold okay. Im replacing mine as one split on build of Lower Control Arm but they dont have spring on bottom, what stope grease coming out?

[F500guy]

I replaced, bought 2 sets and used 2 from each set. My build thread post 123 has the parts I used

[UKSNAKE]

Thank you.

Still no rings at the bottom? So pressure alone keeps them in place when suspension is at load with wheels on?