Running w/o ball joint dust boots

[Stu]

I recently had my (and E30Matt's) suspension apart to swap some components, and our only means of breaking loose the ball joints was a pickel fork (our tie-rod end-puller was unavail). As I suspected, all 4 dust boots (tie-rods, c-arms) were trashed. I just ordered 4 replacement dust-caps from BMP, but won't be installing them until I am home again in about 1.5 weeks.

When I install them, it will have been about 3 weeks of running w/o dust boots. My question is, will having run no dust-covers for that period of time wipe out the ball joints? Anyone have any direct experience? I'd rather not have to replace a set of arms and tie-rods (and pay for an alignment!).

Any input on this is appreciated.

[Spaz]

well iots not good i know that for a fact, if it rains even worse, they will nto fail on you but it will cause some premature wear on the ball joints and rod ends, so be aware, other then that theres nothing u can do unless u park your car. just check all the joints for play before installing the covers, just to make sure it worth it and you don;t need to buy new joints or rod ends.

[KenC]

How can you check the ball joints for play?

[M-technik-3]

Deflection angles. Fill and cover them with a good white lithium or some Wurth CU 1100 high adhesive lubricant. When new boots come in replace, clean and reinstall the boots.

[Stu]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll check the joints when I have it apart, and clean them.

[Spaz]

How can you check the ball joints for play?

jack the car up on the sub frame, have someone put a hand on the top of the tire, and one on the bottome and rock it back and forth. while you watch the ball joint for movement. most of the time you can feel it if you rock the tire yourself.

the same goes for tie rod ends execpt you place your hand on the the sides of the tire parrell with the tie rod end.


if you need more info i'll make a picture :P

[KenC]

Cam,
There should be no movement when I try and move the wheel while it's jacked up?

[Mitch M]

Tips for next time

Use slickery (greese or whatever to prevent tearing the boots) on the pickle fork w/ the flat side...the part in line w/ the handle next to the subframe / strut housing to keep from denting the important parts. Use anti-seize on the shanks of the balljoinnts to ease removal the next time you want to change springs.

[robweenerpi]

why don't you duct tape plastic loosely around the joint to keep it dry and then just pump a crapload of grease into it. Remember to allow for range of movement with ya plastic.

[Spaz]

Cam,
There should be no movement when I try and move the wheel while it's jacked up?

if your doing this correctly there should be no movement if there is no play. if there is movement, then there is play.

where do u get play ken?
did you have someone look at the joints while u rock it?

[Rob]

[quote="Spaz"]

where do u get play ken?
did you have someone look at the joints while u rock it?

I'm not even gonna touch that one :P

[Spaz]

[quote="Rob"]

where do u get play ken?
did you have someone look at the joints while u rock it?

I'm not even gonna touch that one :P

lol we all know ken ;)

[KenC]

Cam,
There should be no movement when I try and move the wheel while it's jacked up?

where do u get play ken?
did you have someone look at the joints while u rock it?

I actually haven't even checked yet. I should probably do that soon. When I was installing my new shocks I noticed that I can move all of the ball joints (CA and tie rod) with my hand easily. And when I got my new front swaybar links in the mail yesterday I noticed that I couldn't even budge the ball joints in them with my hand.

[robweenerpi]

Play can be in the taper, which is very bad. Or in the ball itself, you can feel it by rolling it around, when you are playing with it. If you get it off just by rolling them around then you probably won't need viagra anytime soon......what!... wait what are we talking about here?? Ah yes, ball joints last a long time if you grease them every now and again. If you can jiggle it around then it's worn out. I'm sure somewhere on the web there are figures posted on just how much play is too much. I've seen a chart like that before but I don't remember where.

[Spaz]

Play can be in the taper, which is very bad. Or in the ball itself, you can feel it by rolling it around, when you are playing with it. If you get it off just by rolling them around then you probably won't need viagra anytime soon......what!... wait what are we talking about here?? Ah yes, ball joints last a long time if you grease them every now and again. If you can jiggle it around then it's worn out. I'm sure somewhere on the web there are figures posted on just how much play is too much. I've seen a chart like that before but I don't remember where.

grease fittings that our e30's don't have ?

as for ken, you have to test the ball joints with everything together and the wheel on. turning the ball joint side to side and around is perfectly normal. so check it with the wheel on and let me know.