ball joint dust boots

b9folk_old · April 26, 2007 at 7:07 AM

I've been trying to get replacement dust boots for my ball joints and tie rod ends. VA Classic Mustang cancelled that part of my order because the backorder time was so long. So I reordered at Mustangs Unlimited and they have them listed as backordered. Is this the sort of part I'm likely to find at just a regular parts store, or maybe not because of their age? Are there suspension vendors that would be more likely to have it, like PST?

My ball joints were replaced about 15 years ago and don't have many miles on them. But I'm disassembling the whole suspension and that "pickle fork" used to pop the joints out is not kind to dust boots.

CharlesTurner · April 26, 2007 at 11:15 AM

You have original 65/66 style tie rod ends? I have some NOS replacements if you're interested.

b9folk_old · April 26, 2007 at 11:26 AM

I have original style (no grease fitting, dust seal with metal ring) tie rods. I may be interested in NOS if not too costly. I'd replace my rods before I'd pay a lot for a rubber seal. I need 2.

Another question: Some vendors carry a ball joint seal for both upper & lower, instead of different parts for each. Are there any issues with these as far as functionality goes?

CharlesTurner · April 26, 2007 at 12:24 PM

Send me your address in a private topic and let me know how many tie rod dust boots you need.

I can't weigh in on the repro ball joint boots, haven't used them.

66KGT_old · April 26, 2007 at 1:10 PM

My experience with the repro tie rod boots is not good, in less than a year and 150 miles on the kar they had fallen apart. NPD replaced them and in less than a year the replacements are now falling apart as well. I don't know where they get the rubber for these boots but it is junk. Charles, if the NOS boots will hold up for more than a year and aren't overly expensive I'd be interested in four of them myself.

b9folk_old · April 26, 2007 at 6:33 PM

Charles - I sent private message.

In retrospect, I should have tried to protect the boots with something, maybe a plastic shim, while removing them. But I'm a newbie and have done a few dumb things along the way.

I'm a little annoyed that all the vendors seem to want me to buy a whole new lower arm rather than just a ball joint or boot. It probably makes it more worthwile to sell (and less hassle to install) but I'm trying to refurb my parts as much as is practical. One of the next tasks is figuring out how to get the old bushings out of my original spring seats.

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