Blown out Ball Joint Boot

Hammer32 · August 29, 2003

Yesterday, I was greasing the front end of my 2002 and I make a rookie mistake. I overpumped one of the ball joints and blew out the seal. I’m really upset with my self.

I’ve never replaced a ball joint before. Should I? Will the leaking boot prevent the grease from staying on the joint?

Thanks for you input.

GnatGoSplat · August 29, 2003

One of mine has a bad seal too, it's flat and doesn't plump up when I pump grease into it. So far, it hasn't been a problem.

I also overfilled mine too. I don't know if I blew holes in them or if they normally have weep holes, but I was following instructions I found in an old 1970's automotive maintennance book that said to pump them until a little grease oozes out, so that's what I did. This is the first vehicle I've ever had that has zerks, so I didn't know what I was doing and that was the only book I had with instructions on how to grease the joints. Since then, I've read on this forum that you want to pump them maybe 2-3 times and that's it. Oh well, hasn't been a problem so far. I don't think I was the first person to overfill the joints on my truck anyway, as there was some excess grease around several boots that I imagine must have leaked out.

Anyway, I personally wouldn't replace the joint until it goes bad. I would just check it regularly, which is what you're supposed to do anyway.

GREGGO · August 29, 2003

If you keep them greased regularly, it will last a little longer. The boots should blow up a little. If grease is coming out and they are still flat, then it is bad. The uppers are pressed in and can only be replaced by changing the whole arm. Or at least lst time I did it it was that way on my 2000 The lowers are a pain in the ass. They are rivited in and the rivits have to driled, punched or ground out. The replacement bolts in and runs about $80.00. It's not something you want to tackle by yourself if you don't know what your doing. I would change them eventually though if for nothing else but piece of mind.

bigtruck21 · September 2, 2003

well if you have ever taken your vehicle to jiffylube or walmart tle or most other quick change oil places....assuming they actually do the service they say they did (like grease the joints) you can be reasonably sure that most of your boots are blown by the pneumatic grease gun and overzealous pumping. Seen it many times and it probably won't do much harm for everyday driving as long as it gets greased regularly to displace the water that sneaks in there. Just a messy pita.

ClipperSkipper · September 3, 2003

If you keep them greased regularly, it will last a little longer. The boots should blow up a little. If grease is coming out and they are still flat, then it is bad. The uppers are pressed in and can only be replaced by changing the whole arm. Or at least lst time I did it it was that way on my 2000 The lowers are a pain in the ass. They are rivited in and the rivits have to driled, punched or ground out. The replacement bolts in and runs about $80.00. It's not something you want to tackle by yourself if you don't know what your doing. I would change them eventually though if for nothing else but piece of mind.

The uppers are pressed in and can only be replaced by changing the whole arm.

Who told you this? These are easily replaced on this, and similar vehicles

with an OTC tool, no biggy.

Have a great one!

AirForceAngler · September 3, 2003

Did just a little come out? THose usually have weep holes to let the old grease out as you fill with new.

Hammer32 · September 3, 2003

Thanks for all the feedback so far. Actually the seal that blew was the Tie Rod ball joint. So it is neither the upper or lower. I think the Tie rod joint would not be too difficult to replace.

The upper and lower do seem to have a small hole to relieve the pressure, but the tie rod did not.