Steering arms

[JensVdb]

Hi everyone,

Last week I powder-coated some parts of my sub-frame.
I taped off the outer threads and put some bolts in the inner threads.

For the ball joints I used bushings and washers to protect them from coating.
Mission accomplished I thought, no coating on the conical parts...
But I noticed that the sealing of the ball joints got wrecked by the high temperature and popped out as you can see on the pictures below.

The ball joint self seems to be working fine.
You guys think the steering arms are still usable since they still need a ball joint cover filled with grease anyway?
Or do you recommend to buy new ones?

Thanks

 

[HB Chris]

Your powder coater should have known better, rubber won't last in the oven. I don't know if you can find rubber covers but outer tie rod end is available but the inner with the rod is NLA now from BMW I was told. It can't be used as is.

 

[Nicad]

I too question what the coater was thinking when they put those parts in the oven. If they were silicone they would have made it.
You might try one of these to see if it can be made to work as a dust cover

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search/Tie+Rod+End+Boots+(Universal)/N0957/C0203.oap

 

[aearch]

Outer tie rods

you can buy the whole arm
thats what i had to do
to get the new ball joints

 

[HB Chris]

Except those are tie rod ends, not ball joints

 

[Rek]

I looked for just the rubbers recently and couldn't find them. I had to buy new arms.

One option I looked at was seeing what other rubbers fitted, but I did not get around to this.

 

[lloyd]

Sorry to disagree with everyone but rubber and urethane tie rod end dust covers or "boots" are fairly common replacement parts. Dorman makes universal boots that are available at most "red-front" auto parts stores, e.g., Pep Boys and O'Reilly's. A quick search revealed boots are also sold by other well known suppliers such as Jegs and JC Whitney and they come in a variety of colors! Although I have not recently shopped for parts in the Kingdom of Belgium, I suspect they are available there too.

My concern is your ability to completely regrease those joints. I am guessing a grease gun might be your friend.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_parts/tie_rod_end_boot/bmw.html

http://www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire-and-wheel/tie-rod-dust-boot

http://www.jegs.com/p/JEGS-Performance-Products/JEGS-Round-Tie-Rod-Boots/2825499/10002/-1

http://www.jcwhitney.com/dorman-universal-tie-rod-end-boots/p3051716.jcwx?filterid=d127y1973g2u0j1

 

[Luis A.]

I would question the condition of the grease and the joint in general.

Regardless, this boot works as a replacement:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-R1...ash=item20be1bb973:g:25cAAOxyD9JSBQwj&vxp=mtr

 

[JensVdb]

Checked the ball joints again and it just doesn't feel right to do a full restoration and not replacing these parts...

Decided to buy new ones at Wallothnesch.
Just a bit pity that they are not glossy black

For the people that want the ball joint dust boots, I think these ones should fit too.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-UNIVERS...t-Boots-/221454802291?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Thanks guys for the reply's and advise!

 

[OCCoupe]

Decided to buy new ones at Wallothnesch.
Just a bit pity that they are not glossy black

Why not tape them up and spray paint them with a good quality paint?

 

[aearch]

yep

juat paint em
i did it -looks fine spray with clear
also a tie rod end is a ball joint
just named different

 

[Gary Knox]

IF you want really shiny (and durable) black, you might consider the epoxy 'Appliance Paint' in a spray can at Home Depot. It should look GREAT.