Where can I get a replacement boot for my ball joint?

I pulled the knuckle off my driver's side front end tonight to replace the wheel bearings. I tore the ball joint boot with a pickel fork in the process.

The dealership says they don't sell boots without the complete ball joint and A pillar. That's $214 for a ball joint boot. I looked online tonight and I see plenty of ball joints for sale for about $40.

Unless there is a way to replace the boot, it looks like I'll be replacing the ball joint for $40. If anyone has replaced a ball joint on their maxima and has any useful tips then please post them.

Thanks.

 

This is why I NEVER use a pickle fork. 99% of the time they damage a boot. Just use a hammer next time to hit the spindle around the ball joint. It will pop loose. I did mine. I bought the parts from ebay and used a ball joint remover/installer from Harbor Frieght. Took about 1.5 hours per side. Not too hard, just time consuming.

 

$214? You can get 2 control arms with balljoints for $120 on ebay.

 

i had a local shop use their press to R&R balljoints and bearings for $15. The parts were maybe $70 in total..

 

Can you remove the ball joints from the control arm? The haynes repair manual says to replace the whole control arm and the dealership won't even sell a balljoint without the control arm. I removed the clip from the balljoint, supported the control arm with a jack stand, and beat the balljoint with a hammer but it didn't budge. The fact that it has a clip seems to indicate the ball joint is removable but I hit that thing several times very hard and even tried to pry it with a crowbar with no results.

If I ever get the ball joint out then I have to replace the round clip on the new one. Is there a trick to it without ripping the bushing?

 

no u dont.. i also replaced my ball joints.. and dont get any ebay ball joints either.. go find them at autozone or something..

 

I got replacement ball joints from Advance Auto for $29. I couldn't beat the old ball joint out of the control arm so I took the whole control arm off and I'm taking it to a shop tosee whether they can use a press to remove the ball joint from the control arm. The end link is pretty trashed now too so I'll be replacing it.

I'm still not sure whether I'll be able to press the old ball joint out. I'll find out tomorow at the shop I guess.

Any suggestions on upgrades while I have everything apart. I wish I had replacement bushings on hand but I'll have to order them. Mine look shot after 170k miles. I'll upgrade to Energy Suspension or something like that.

 

Why?! I wan't a good reason. (As i purchased mine from ebay 2 days ago, you're scaring me man!)

 

Did you remove the snap ring before trying to press the ball joints out of the a-arm? They pressed in but they have a snap ring on the top that keeps them from pulling out of the a-arm.

 

The ball joints are not easy to remove from the contol arm. You need a press type set up. Simply trying to hammer them out will not always work. I used this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335

 

cuz i did too a couple of months ago now the boots are alredy ripped....

 

werd its available at autozone for rent i used it as well

 

I wonder if the people that tried to hammer it out remembered to remove the snap ring first. Otherwise it won't come out for damn sure. I've hammered it out before but i will admit that the item you linked to is the best option.

 

Very true. But even if you hammer them out you are still left with getting the new one installed. I cringe at the thought of hammering in a new ball joint. It may not hurt it, I dont know, but it just doesnt sound like a good idea.

 

:-( Maybe you ran over a twig from a thorn bush just right to where it ripped the boot? Oooor... maybe it was ball-jointmites? or bootmites form the thorn bush?

:-( Fudge.... i just wasted $100+ Thanks man...

 

I removed the control arm and took it to the shop that was pressing in my new wheel bearings. The mechanic is a good guy and he said he doesn't like to use his big industrial press because it may damage the control arm. He put the control arm in a big vise and beat the bujezus out of it until it came out. Then he pounded the new one in. It looked harsh but he swore by it and it worked fine.

I pulled the snap ring before I tried pounding the ball joint out of the control arm in my driveway. I never would have gotten that that thing out. I'll borrow a press from Advance Auto next time.