Ball joint boots/gaiters?

[bengal taiga]

I recently replaced many of the rubber wear items on my E9's front suspension. This included upper strut mounts, brake strut bushes, tie rods and drag link. Idler arm seemed snug enough and was left alone. I have since discovered that one of the "seemingly new" ball joint boots is torn so that the whole cover will come off with a strong wind. Plastic wrap or electrical tape is not my idea of the best fix so I am left with considering complete disassembly.

Are there any other alternatives or even rarely recommended shortcuts? Since I have only replaced ball joints/control arms with the subframe dropped for access, can one possibly remove the arm from the strut without disturbing everything else :?:

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bill Riblett]

I've thought that separating the ball joint from the strut was one of the hardest parts of this task, but since you have had it apart recently, you shouldn't have any trouble. Otherwise, I can't see any particular problem.

I've also wrapped some plastic sheet around a damaged boot and zip-tied it in place on a seldom-used car (which seems to be almost all E9s these days) until I got around to replacement. I think it is going to be hard to find the boot.

 

[bengal taiga]

ball joint gaiter

I've thought that separating the ball joint from the strut was one of the hardest parts of this task. . . I think it is going to be hard to find the boot.

I would just as soon pull the engine than to undertake certain suspension work, especially when it is so easy to mess up perfectly good paint!

I have a few extra boots and I believe there are several retailers that sell urethane replacements but can't comment on the fit. What kills me is the boot I removed is better than the new one I replaced it with. I just did not notice any clean split. I remember wiping away the grease, but did not see the crack.

Some of the VW aftermarket boots work too, just like 2800 brake components!

I do not have the patience to pull everything just for the boot and wondered if someone doesn't make a split boot that can be glued similar to CV joint boots I have used on an old dune buggy. I am not expecting there is such an animal, but I would feel foolish to find out there is an easier way.

 

[Mario L.]

We have used the aftermarket polyurethane boots on many applications, they work well, BUT do not seal as tight as the original.

Splitting ball joints and tie rod ends for this work is not difficult with the correct tool . .use one that has a scissors action like this one :
http://www.minimania.com/web/Item/07-035/invDetail.cfm

If the joint is stubborn, a good hard wack with a hammer on the female side of the joint while it is under pressure should separate it.