Replacing lower ball joint dust seal only
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 835
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
Replacing lower ball joint dust seal only
Was underneath the vette today looking at the chassis in preperation for an upcoming road trip. Noticed that the driver's side lower ball joint dust seal has a split (see picture below). Guess I previously gave it one too many shots of grease.
Anyway, the ball joint is Moog brand, part of the entire front end rebuild I did not too many years ago and doesn't have too many miles on it. So I'm not wanting to replace the ball joint. What's the quick and easy way of replacing just the dust seal? Hopefully I can get the dust seal from Moog.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Anyway, the ball joint is Moog brand, part of the entire front end rebuild I did not too many years ago and doesn't have too many miles on it. So I'm not wanting to replace the ball joint. What's the quick and easy way of replacing just the dust seal? Hopefully I can get the dust seal from Moog.[IMG]
[/IMG]
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I've never seen the dust seals sold seperately, but that is a common problem with ball joints and tie rod ends and you hate to replace the part if it's just a bad seal. "Help products" is always asking for ideas for new products. Maybe this should be brought to their attention.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
There's only one way. Take the cotter pin and castle nut off the bottom and drive a pickle fork between the ball joint and the spindle.
You will need to clamp the spring before you start to keep it from exploding once the ball joint breaks loose. Tighten the clamps enough to clear the the spindle so you can remove the old dust cover and install the new one.
cc
You will need to clamp the spring before you start to keep it from exploding once the ball joint breaks loose. Tighten the clamps enough to clear the the spindle so you can remove the old dust cover and install the new one.
cc
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
You can get poly replacements and get a loaner puller from Autozone.
http://www.suspension.com/bjb.htm
http://www.suspension.com/bjb.htm
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 835
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
From the replies, it looks like to do this, it's basically the same procedure as replacing the ball joint itself, ie: remove the shock and install a coil spring compressor, compress the coil spring and pickle fork the ball joint loose to get access to the dust boot. Thanks for the replies. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 835
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
You can get poly replacements and get a loaner puller from Autozone.
http://www.suspension.com/bjb.htm
http://www.suspension.com/bjb.htm
Looks like I have some work to do after this road trip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
There's only one way. Take the cotter pin and castle nut off the bottom and drive a pickle fork between the ball joint and the spindle.
You will need to clamp the spring before you start to keep it from exploding once the ball joint breaks loose. Tighten the clamps enough to clear the the spindle so you can remove the old dust cover and install the new one.
cc
You will need to clamp the spring before you start to keep it from exploding once the ball joint breaks loose. Tighten the clamps enough to clear the the spindle so you can remove the old dust cover and install the new one.
cc
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
