Lower ball joint dust boot help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Malamute · 04-26-2015, 08:07 PM

I pressed the lower ball joints in today with no problem but I cannot get the dust boot seated all the way for the life of me. I tried using one of the rings from the press and that wouldn't work either. I really don't want to tear one and wondered if a little grease on them would help.

The uppers are no problem since they are two piece. I searched but couldn't find anything for this specific problem. Any help would be appreciated.

hugger6933 · 04-26-2015, 08:27 PM

Put it on and not worry about it. It can't go anywhere once the spindle is back on. Just don't over pump it up with grease when you grease your chassis. Jim

Malamute · 04-26-2015, 08:36 PM

Even if it's not close to the CA? That was my worry that grease wouldn't stay in, but I'm guessing with the spindle holding it down it will be OK?

**KyleSeal** · 04-28-2015, 10:14 AM

Make sure you have the correct boot for the bottom and the top, I had it backwards when I did mine but was able to fix in time.

**michael bustamante** · 04-28-2015, 10:35 AM

is the boot not sliding all the way down the ball joint threaded shaft? the boot may be too small

Nochance · 04-28-2015, 12:34 PM

i usually take two pairs of channel lock pliers and hold the boot down on one side and work my way around with the other pair. One other thing is there should be a small channel cut out on the bottom of the boot that needs to be pointed towards the coil spring. Its for when you do over grease the joint the excess doesn't get squirted on the brakes.

good luck

Malamute · 04-28-2015, 10:48 PM

Thanks guys. They were in the box with the ball joints so I assume they are the right ones. And yes, I have the notch to the inside. I haven't tried them again, once I'm done with a few other things I'll go back and try them again.

enaberif · 04-28-2015, 10:54 PM

Toss them in a bit of hot water to help loosen them up and try again.

Malamute · 04-28-2015, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enaberif

Toss them in a bit of hot water to help loosen them up and try again.

Thanks. I almost thought about throwing them in some warm, soapy water but I didn't know if the residue would cause problems down the road. I think they would go with a surfactant on them.

04-26-2015, 08:07 PM	#1
Malamute Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 756	Lower ball joint dust boot help I pressed the lower ball joints in today with no problem but I cannot get the dust boot seated all the way for the life of me. I tried using one of the rings from the press and that wouldn't work either. I really don't want to tear one and wondered if a little grease on them would help. The uppers are no problem since they are two piece. I searched but couldn't find anything for this specific problem. Any help would be appreciated.

04-26-2015, 08:27 PM	#2
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Lower ball joint dust boot help Put it on and not worry about it. It can't go anywhere once the spindle is back on. Just don't over pump it up with grease when you grease your chassis. Jim

04-26-2015, 08:36 PM	#3
Malamute Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 756	Re: Lower ball joint dust boot help Even if it's not close to the CA? That was my worry that grease wouldn't stay in, but I'm guessing with the spindle holding it down it will be OK?

04-28-2015, 10:14 AM	#4
KyleSeal Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Toano, VA Posts: 893	Re: Lower ball joint dust boot help Make sure you have the correct boot for the bottom and the top, I had it backwards when I did mine but was able to fix in time. __________________ "Sometimes I do serve as a good bad example. Glad to be of service." My Build Thread (1967 C10, lowered, EFI, daily truck): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=830809

04-28-2015, 10:35 AM	#5
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,862	Re: Lower ball joint dust boot help is the boot not sliding all the way down the ball joint threaded shaft? the boot may be too small __________________ 1967custom

04-28-2015, 12:34 PM	#6
Nochance Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 27	Re: Lower ball joint dust boot help i usually take two pairs of channel lock pliers and hold the boot down on one side and work my way around with the other pair. One other thing is there should be a small channel cut out on the bottom of the boot that needs to be pointed towards the coil spring. Its for when you do over grease the joint the excess doesn't get squirted on the brakes. good luck

04-28-2015, 10:48 PM	#7
Malamute Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 756	Re: Lower ball joint dust boot help Thanks guys. They were in the box with the ball joints so I assume they are the right ones. And yes, I have the notch to the inside. I haven't tried them again, once I'm done with a few other things I'll go back and try them again.

04-28-2015, 10:54 PM	#8
enaberif Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,181	Re: Lower ball joint dust boot help Toss them in a bit of hot water to help loosen them up and try again.



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