Blown Grease Boot

[JimG]

Good afternoon all -

I'm currently out in the garage working on the truck - doing the usual oil change, tire rotation and greasing the zerks. So I notice that the boot on the driver's side outer tie-rod end is extra greasy all over. As I pump a little grease in, the grease promptly shoots out of the boot. Yeah! Blown boot - just what I wanted to find.

 

So here's the question: The truck is still under its factory warranty for about 4k miles (extended warranty is in progress) - if I take this to GMC, will they fix it under warranty? The issue is I'm the only one who has ever greased them - I don't want to hear ' You put too much grease in and that's why it failed. So it'll cost you $xxx.xx to fix'.

Comments/suggestions welcomed.

If it goes to the dealer, that'll be 8 times in about 17 months ...

[Bish]

Doubt it. Any excuse not to fix would be the standard Chevy reply.

 

FYI-even if it didn't pop when you greased it, it COULD have when you turned the wheel driving. Not at all suggesting it was your fault but I saw a friend do it while it was still on the lift. He greased, then worked the steering wheel stop to stop and sure enough he burst a boot.

[blue2kzr2]

FWIW, I bought my truck used from a GM dealer. They gave me a 3 month warranty, some sort of GMPP I think. They replaced a torn grease boot no questions asked.

[coyotekid]

I just had one replaced under warranty, and the shop was really good about it. I'm the only who's ever greased them, so I was worried about that too. However, my had an actual tear in it that was obviously not a result of "over greasing." I'd fight it either way!

 

Sorry to hear you haven't had the best luck with your new truck either. Mine has been into the dealer for about the 8th time also, in less than a year. I'm not too impressed with my lemon piece of s**t. I know they have problems with all brands of trucks, but this is just getting out of hand.

[z71ff]

I had the same problem about a year and a half ago on my 2000. I never did anything about it - can anybody tell me what I need to replace?

[JimG]

Thanks for the replies guys!

 

Bish,

Didn't know that was possible. Thanks for the info. I'll admit I don't drive the truck gently.

 

Funny thing about this is the boot isn't blown out in one spot. The grease is leaking out of at least 2-3 different locations.

 

What really annoys me is that if I added up all the times it was in the shop, it practically adds up to a month now. Lost it for 10 days at once point thanks to a variety of issues - and at least 2 days on almost every other visit. Only thing I'm happy about is that the dealer has not yet received $0.01 from me.

 

Curse the GM policy that I can't have a rental the day I drop it off

[Bish]

Funny thing about this is the boot isn't blown out in one spot. The grease is leaking out of at least 2-3 different locations.

Look closely before spending any $$$. On a couple of mine, I can get a little "seepage" out of the boot where it seals but it is not blown. This happens only when I pump it up firm. Wipe it nice and clean and check it out again before you try to fix it.

[JimG]

I wiped it off before I even started - boot didn't look like the rest with that bugled sort of look . . . the look that says there's enough grease in there. Right after the first pump it was starting to come out. None of the others do this.

 

I won't be spending $0.01 - GM will be paying the dealer.

 

Right now I'm not taking it in only because every time my truck goes to the dealer I lose it for about 3 days on average while they fix it. I don't mind them having it for the day, or 2 if they need a part, but after that it's annoying.

[Kamyoon]

Has anyone tried to change the lower balljoint grease boot themselves? How hard is it? I know for sure both of my grease boots are torn. There is a horizontal cut on both of them. Grease just comes out the minute I pump some in.

 

Also, will I need to change the balljoint too? Do they sell the boot by itself or would I need to by the whole kit?