r/r Upper ball joints - anything special?

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GoodysGotaCuda

Mr. Goody
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Boots on my Dusters upper ball joints are toast. im running through a few things to get it road worthy, getting new tie rod ends, rotors, pads, bearings, etc, etc and thats one thing on my list.

Anything special to swap 'em out? Thanks :salute:
 
They use a specail socket to remove them. You can buy it from Magnum HP
 
AdamR said:
They use a specail socket to remove them. You can buy it from Magnum HP
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And the socket goes over on the top side of the control arm/side as the grease fitting and loosens/out that way i assume? friend of mine might have the socket. Thanks! :salute:
 
Are you sure the uppers are bad ? You can replace just the boots and save the joints if they are okay. usually its the lower ball joints that wear out on mopars. Just a thought.
 
66dartgt said:
Are you sure the uppers are bad ? You can replace just the boots and save the joints if they are okay. usually its the lower ball joints that wear out on mopars. Just a thought.
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Well thats a good suggestion. I don't think that the joint is actually bad. the deal is, is whats the best way to swap the boot? The old one just tears, would i have to dig it out of the ball joint, and then the new one just kinda presses in by hand? This is my first real time messing with front suspension, i have the basic idea. but on stuff like changing boots, its a little open for me.

So whats the best way to r/r the boot? Work for tie rod ends as well? Thanks! :salute: That'd be much cheaper to say the least lol. I'm basically just trying to get it back on the road and driveable. So im going over the suspension to make sure nothing is bad, like i had a bad wheel bearing, brake pads were half gone and such. So i'm not looking to have a brand new suspension...just get it in a decent driver shape if that makes any sense. Thanks :thumbup:
 
If they have been exposed to alot of dirt and road grime because the boots have been wasted for a long time, I would replace them myself (but I am a bit anal about suspension stuff since everything else rides on it) otherwise, like 66dartgt said, if they are still good just replace the boots.

Ball joint seperator tool and tie rod seperator are an ABSOLUTE MUST for that job, as are NEW cotter keys for when you put it back together. Follow the service manual to seperate the joints you want to replace the boots on. Not really a terrible job. You will need to relieve the pressure on the T bars to do uppers or lowers, but not for tie rods (I am sure you knew that, just tryin to be clear). Then remember to grease it all, and wipe away excess grease from any place you put it.

That in itself is a critical thing that a lotta pepole don't realize, if there is a grease zerk on it, it needs REGULAR attention (not every 4 or 5 years when you here stuff clunking) I grease all zerked points at least once every couple weeks minimum. Of course depends on your use, but regular greasing is important, another point people dont realize is wiping excess grease off also so that it dosn't attract dirt and grit to the joints. Not enough or too much is a bad thing when it comes to grease. Just my .02 you probably didn't want but I put it out there anyway, LOL.
 
thanks for the info! its all coming out really. the inner/outer tie rods are out. upper ball joints are popped off the knuckle (if i got my termanology right, thats what it is lol). I'll try and find out the way to pop off the boots. That will be my best way to go. Car just sat for awhile and the desert dried them out. hasnt been driven due to a dead trans. I'm thinking the joints are fine, ill clean them out and such. Should be good to go with new boots. Thanks!
 
Thanks guys, new poly boots are on the way. Now onto the other side. I'll be back to hammer on my ball-joint separator tool to get it off the knuckle...those suckers are on there eh?
 
GoodysGotaCuda said:
Thanks guys, new poly boots are on the way. Now onto the other side. I'll be back to hammer on my ball-joint separator tool to get it off the knuckle...those suckers are on there eh?
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....slow down turbo =;

Did you say you're hammering off the ball joints from the steering knuckles??

They are threaded. You can get the special socket for them through Mag......oh wait nevermind. I re-read it, now I get it....for a second I thought you were hammering the ball joint off the upper control arm, hehehe. That wouldnt have been good. I get it now.

The rubber seal should come off without much force and the new ones install by hand. Good luck with the rest! :thumbup:

-Orion
 
GoodysGotaCuda said:
Thanks guys, new poly boots are on the way. Now onto the other side. I'll be back to hammer on my ball-joint separator tool to get it off the knuckle...those suckers are on there eh?
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It's a taper fit that you're having to break loose... of course it's going to be on there good! :p
 
Where are you guys getting the replacement boots at ? Been looking for some, but everywhere I've checked says they are not available without buying the joint also. Thanks
 
Cuda kid said:
Where are you guys getting the replacement boots at ? Been looking for some, but everywhere I've checked says they are not available without buying the joint also. Thanks
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I couldnt find any plain 'replacement boots'. but. Energy suspension does sell a 12piece tie rod kit for $20 and a pair of ball joint boots runs about $7. Polyeurothane. Autozone, Summit, Checker, PepBoys, etc all can get Energy Suspension parts. :thumbup:
 
I get them at Car Quest..but they are more of a universal type thing. Teh ywork fine, just look different.
 
Have any auto parts store you go to look up the boots in the "HELP" line of products. It's where I got new rubber boots for mine when I swapped all my suspension stuff from my 71 to my 73.
 
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