Tore the rubber boot on lower ball joint?

[mikeaford]

Has anyone ever done this pickle fork chunked out the side of it accidently? Do you have to replace the entire A Arm or just the rubber grease part - I still havn't got them seperated I walked away for a while after this happened just needed to clear my head. Just curious on whether or not I really killed this DIY project of putting shocks on?

[Jims455]

torn boot on ball joint not good, replace the ball joint.

[mikeaford]

I looked at it once I seperated it not too long ago, no damge to the ball joint itself just the dust boot that carries the grease is torn, I removed the boot itself seems like I should just be able to replace that dust boot? Any suggestions on this can I replace just that cover or am I doomed and need to replace the entire ball joint? How is this done? Do I need to remove the entitre lower a arm and go have a new one pressed in? Can the dealer do this or do they just replace the entire arm? Just wondering which direction to go at this point? Nasty nasty nasty... Well at least the drivers side came off without a hitch at least...

[Z27]

If the ball joint is OK you should be able to pick up a new boot at an auto parts place. If the ball joint is bad you sould be able to replace it using a ball joint tool, used for pressing joints in or out while still on the car.

[mikeaford]

Joint is fine no damage just ripped the boot? I actually did this to both sides : ( <---- me when I realized what happened. I actually went to a local car parts place which didn't have the exact boot but one similar in size I took the ring from the bottom and filled the boot up with grease and put it right on a little bit loose on the bottom end but good and tight at the top he said it should do just fine. I will keep an eye on it once I get it all back together. Oh well what more can I do? Thanks for all your responses I think I'm back again.