Broken grease seals reason enough to replace ball joints?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 740
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From: Chelmsford, MA USA
Broken grease seals reason enough to replace ball joints?
Can anyone tell me what the rule of thumb is when deciding to replace ball joints? I noticed the upper grease seals are oozing grease when I lube them.
Is this a reason to replace them? Or are they only replaced when they get sloppy and wear out? What is it, 3 O'Clock and 9 O'Clock play in the wheel?
Thanks,
Bob
Is this a reason to replace them? Or are they only replaced when they get sloppy and wear out? What is it, 3 O'Clock and 9 O'Clock play in the wheel?
Thanks,
Bob
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Broken grease seals reason enough to replace ball joints? (Bob Hovey)
If they are original, I would replace...
the rule of thumb with ball joints is simple - they can last 1 day or a 10000 days. you never know.
The other rule, if they ooze grease, replace.
the rule of thumb with ball joints is simple - they can last 1 day or a 10000 days. you never know.
The other rule, if they ooze grease, replace.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 253
From: Little Elm TX
Re: Broken grease seals reason enough to replace ball joints? (bogus)
My boots came off from over greasing. As long as the balljoint is not dried out/worn out, then I'd just put the boot back on and not over grease. If yours our torn, then inspect the balljoint and repair what's necessary. Just my .02.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
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From: Orangeburg, NY
Re: Broken grease seals reason enough to replace ball joints? (Bob Hovey)
It is not necessarily a concern to replace your ball joints if the boots are leaking. Leaking boots are usually caused by overgreasing. The Service Manual shows how to tell if the ball joint is bad. The diagrams are straight foward and easy to understand. It is nothing more than a visual inspection.
If your car vibrates intermittantly, clunks going over bumps, or there is uneven tire wear, you my need new ball joints.
The 3 - 9 o'clock check is for the tie rods and wheel bearings.
If your car vibrates intermittantly, clunks going over bumps, or there is uneven tire wear, you my need new ball joints.
The 3 - 9 o'clock check is for the tie rods and wheel bearings.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Sydney, Australia
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17, '22
Re: Broken grease seals reason enough to replace ball joints? (89 Bob L)
The 12 - 6 o'clock test is for ball joints isn't it?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 37,190
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From: Trying to get back to Bokeelia, FLA-USA
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06, '15
Re: Broken grease seals reason enough to replace ball joints? (Red 90 L98 Coupe)
The 12 - 6 o'clock test is for ball joints isn't it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
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From: Kempner Texas
Re: Broken grease seals reason enough to replace ball joints? (JasonL)
Trying to move the wheel/tire with your hands at 12-6 checks for the upper and 3-9 checks for the lower -Or is it the other way 'round.
Anyway, do it both ways and there should not be any play in the wheel.
The lowers have a visual indicator, at the zerk fitting. Without a frame of reference, though, it's hard to tell. If the zerk (grease) fitting is recessed into the ball joint, it's time to change them.
Uppers are easy to change by just drilling out the rivets and bolting in the new joint. The lowers, as I found out last week when I changed mine, are more difficult, even with the ball joint tool that I rented from AutoZone. They come out easily but getting the new ones in takes a bit of work.
The trick is to make sure the new one is aligned straight as it's pressed in. I only had to disconnect the lower bolts of the shocks to make the swap too.
Hope this helps.
Jake
Anyway, do it both ways and there should not be any play in the wheel.
The lowers have a visual indicator, at the zerk fitting. Without a frame of reference, though, it's hard to tell. If the zerk (grease) fitting is recessed into the ball joint, it's time to change them.
Uppers are easy to change by just drilling out the rivets and bolting in the new joint. The lowers, as I found out last week when I changed mine, are more difficult, even with the ball joint tool that I rented from AutoZone. They come out easily but getting the new ones in takes a bit of work.
The trick is to make sure the new one is aligned straight as it's pressed in. I only had to disconnect the lower bolts of the shocks to make the swap too.
Hope this helps.
Jake
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