Ball Joint Rubber Boot/Dust Cover, Split MOT failure. Cheap Easy Fix- How To
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 พ.ค. 2017
- If you car as just failed its MOT because one of it's ball joint boots/dust covers is split allowing the ingress of dirt and water there is a cheap and easy way to fix .. It will probably cost you around a pound(cheaper if you buy in bulk) to buy the universal boots to replace your split one..these will work for track rod ends and lower ball joints that have boots/dust covers.. If you car as only failed on the cover and the ball joint it's self is fine this is a easy and cheap way to repair..if its the track rod end this will also save you from having to mess about in making sure you put your new track rod end(if you bought one instead of just replacing the boot) back in the same place by say counting the turns or measuring it with a tape measure as you are only changing the boot and not the track rod .. you can buy these from most good motor factors or ebay
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Your a star!! I never knew this and my transit failed on just the covers, Thank you as I will now investigate getting newones!
did they tell you it was just the covers though? how much did they quote you?
Cracking tip on stopping the ball joint turning thanks.
Nice video mate, thanks for sharing. I've discovered that some dust cover kits come with small cable (zip) ties instead of O rings :-)
Cable/zip ties leave a gap where the locking block is. O rings the way to go.
Just been quoted £65-150 to change one dust cover. Thanks for the video. I will fix it myself.....hopefully!
Seems a lot that..probably priced you to change the full thing..yeah but always worth having a go yourselve if you think you can do it..
@@BitsPieces Yeah they priced for the whole thing and said £65 for one or £150 because they recommend doing both. I prefer the £2 option ;)
Nice one mate! Thanks for uploading.👍
I wish I'd found this earlier. I have this issue as an advisory on my last MOT and having consulted with local garages have just ordered and paid for a complete new lower arm with new ball joint, bushes and bolts (£100+).
Good tip at the end 👍🏽
Great advice I've replaced a lot of these ball joints and there was no need if I could get dust covers
Could you please tell me where I could get these rubber Wellington cups
@@jamesmcdonagh8719 Ebay..you can buy a pack with various sizes in them..or if you know the actual size, individually.
I had a three-pack of Universal boots, of slightly different sizes so you can choose the best fit, and they came with thin zip-ties. Managed to replace a split boot on two cars with them, so, lucky bonus.
Nice one...
Good job.👍👍
Excellent Cheers ..got that
Cool vid, I'm about to change all 6 ball joint dust covers on a set of steering arms for a 1974 Volvo, it would cost a fortune to replace the entire arms.
Brilliant
So dealer said on my repair sheet for 2014 honda accord ( both front lower ball joint boot splits ) so what acutal part do i need
Perfect. Thanks for that, mine have just failed ;)
Thanks for watching
@@BitsPieces na bother...... ive just looked and its on both the wish bones , Mike Best autos have got pack of 10 for £10 , but ball joint is £12 is it worth replacing the whole joint , and how easy is the wish bone wall joint cover to get off ?
@@JCisJD you would probably get the covers cheaper of Ebay..it's about what you think is best for your car and your own capabilities when it comes to doing it yourself
@@BitsPieces cheers for that , yeah I've had a closer look and they are well shot so going for replacing the whole joint as it's the 3 bolt type and I don't have to push them out of the wish bone ;)
good vid thx👍👍👍
Nice one ! Cheers
Where can you get these rubber boot dust cover thank you
Thanks mate
+Mark Doyle Thanks for watching
i would love a link to a suitable one for my vauxhall astra!
Good advice, you need a tripod so you can film youself doing the work ;)
Hey, thanks for the video, my car just failed on this so I've ordered a kit. Just wondering if the nylon O ring is good enough to pass the MOT or if they will expect those annoying metal clips back on? thanks
Yeah its fine..
I had my local garage put on my mot that my OSF suspension component ball joint dust cover needed replacing last December so I went to another local garage as cheaper quote. I originally went as I've got this squeaking noise on lock or breaking which sounds like it's coming from the FNS. Garage has just replaced the FOS wishbone which said was shot, but still have the squeaking Aghhhh. I've had 2 garages now apart from the original say they don't know where the squeaking is coming from
It might be the suspension spring..
@@BitsPieces ok thanks I'll have another look tomorrow
thanks
Can this make your car squeak if it's got a split in it?
Hi can you tell me if I need to have the wheel aligned after I replace the dust covers does it effect steering thank you?
No..thats why this is a good way of doing it and just changing the dust cover and not the whole part..if it is the track rod end you are/have done, because you have not undone the track rod end from the steering rack and only undone the ball joint nut..the tracking as not been disturbed, so there is no need to have it re-aligned..if you do ever need to undo a track rod end from the steering rack. Count the turns it takes to remove it. So when fitting it back (maybe a new one) count the turn putting it back to the same as taking it off..so if it took 10 turns to remove it..use 10 turns to put it back on and no re-aligned is needed again.
@@BitsPieces last " mechanic/garage" I used should have but didn't do this, so 6 months later both, new, front tires shagged ( dangerous) unseen inner worn down to "canvass"
They did a bad job then..but its always worth getting the alignment checked if you are unsure, after any work on the front steering and suspension.
@@BitsPieces yes, that's 101 for half decent mechanic
just had my mot failed because of an anti roll bar linkage joint dust cover no longer prevents ingress of dirt both front and quoted a price of 190 pounds😯
Any idea where to get the new O rings from? I am deep in googling RN. Thanks
Mine came with the kit (rubber) from ebay.. not sure where you would get original metal ones from.
Hi. Do you need to do the tracking if you have done this work yourself? Okay I see someone else asked below thanks.
Hi..No, because you are not undoing/un-screwing the track rod end, you are just separating it from hub carrier to change the boot.. if you do ever need to undo a track rod end, just count the turns it took to remove it and then when putting it back count the turns. again.
I am struggling to find a dust cover I feel confident will fit - I am pushed for time so must get the correct one. Is it just as easy to change the whole ball joint or will that effect the tracking as I have found those. Thanks so much for all your help.
As in my other reply..if you are struggling to do this job I would take it too a garage for a mechanic to do it for you..
Superb video where can I buy them from cheers
Ebay
Hi good video
Can you give me the link to ebay as my 2005 nissan navara just failed its mot its says (b) (ii))
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.
Thanks
Hi, I don't have individual links for different cars..just do a Google search..thanks
Great video, now, can this be done with the lower ball joint? looks like it might be tricky to get to?
You can do it with any ball joint that has a nut and can be separated from it's holder..
@@BitsPieces cool, ive found a garage that will sort this for me, cos im not confident to dismantle the suspension myself on the drive. Better than paying someone to change the whole joint,.. thanks, I will remember this trick.
@@sharpskilz Thats great..
@@BitsPieces all done 60 quid for two replacements.passed MOT, thanks again, If the upper ones go in the future I will DIY it.. top vid
@@sharpskilz Excellent
Do you have to do a realignment afterwards??
No, because you are not actually undoing the ball join from the steering rack
Hi, I was looking for this video. I have a jag s type 2001 and its all good but all the rubber parts are falling off at the rear of the car. can anyone link me to a kit to replace all these old rubbers? Im on a tight budget and seems silly pulling all these parts when they deffinitely have lots of life left with a clean,grease and new rubber covers. Thanks in advance.
The kits are not car specific to any car..they are just available in different sizes.. but try a Ebay search.
Jaguars use SMALL rubber boots, Front upper wishbone joints and rear are know for the covers to perish! And the ball joints can't be renewed (only lower can be pressed out) To do both sides Jaguar will only supply the compleat arm and with fitting you looking at close to £1000 for both sides...Replacement rubber boots will cost £4-£5 if the joint is still servicable?
Can this be a cause any squeaking??
Sorry for knowing less than nothing about this. I've just been quoted £1200 because my rubber covers have failed the mot on the rear upper ball joints of my Jaguar XK. Would your fix work on this? Or is my problem something different? They say that I must replace the whole suspension arm and joint.
To be honest I have not work on a Jaguar xk ..But any ball joint dust cover can be changed..its just a matter of getting the right size..if you buy a universal kit with many different sizes in that would help..or once you gain access to the ball joint you can measure it..That quote does seem very excessive, I'm presuming that are changing the full wishbones parts ..I have never worked on one, so can not judge the labour cost, but the labour can be more than the price of the part on many occasions.
Thanks for the reply. Yes, they say they can't replace the rubber boot and must buy a whole new strut or arm including a new joint, which are apparently OK. It's just the rubber is cracked.
If you can not do the work yourself you are are probably stuck..Most garages will want to change the full part, personally I can not see a problem in just changing the rubber boot, but I can not give you full advice because I can not see/inspect the part that needs changing..of course, the best thing to do is get more repair quotes from other garages if possible .
Dust cover aka iron casing aka bracelet aka horizontal double line with a wide vertical gap
hi did you stick more grease in?
Yeah
Just been quoted 200 quid + VAT to get 4 ball joint rubbers and 2 track rod end rubbers replaced. Is it that big a job, really? Would I need any specialist tools?
That will be a quote to change the full parts not the boot rubbers ...You just need a good set of tools and a bit of know how .if unsure get another quote..
Thanks for your reply mate. I will get another quote. The quote I got was to do just the rubber boots, I made that clear to him. And I'm supplying the boots too. What i was wondering was if labourwise it was pretty much the same thing as changing the full parts. I have a decent set of tools but don't have a ball joint press or any of those threaded puller tools or anything specialist like that. I've done brake pads + discs before, anti-rollbar bushings, radiator + hoses etc, simple stuff.
Seems expensive Labour wise if it's only the rubbers .you only need a ball joint separater tool..they are cheap to buy..just watch the video again..is it not bushes they are quoting you for and not the boot rubbers.
As I say mate, I'll get a few more quotes today. I'll stay in touch. If you have to split the ball joint to fit these boots, it sounds like a similar amount of labour involved as replacing the actual ball joint.
Not really..because you then have to remove the ballpoint and then replace it .what car is it . and what boot covers need changing.
Ford fiesras mk6 lower bull joint ca. I do it ?
Yes
Helpful if you show the procedures.
If you do not understand how to do this, via this video. I suggest you take your car to a mechanic.
How to.put grease in.
You put the grease in before you secure the boot by pushing some in, inside the boot and around the balljoint and then secure the boot with the O-rings you get with the kits.
What is the correct grease to use? Lithium Based Grease?
Multipurpose Lithium Grease
@@BitsPieces Thanks
£220 at Kwik-Fit. Local garage, £150. 2h DIY £4.
Always worth giving these jobs ago if you feel confident enough to do them .
Hi just got my MOT done FAIL and it says, 'Suspension arm ball joiint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Nearside Front Lower [5.3.4 (b) (ii)]
Does this mean it has split? They have quoted me £94.60 and Front Wheel Alignment £30 and Labour to REPLACE nearside front lower a £78 - should I trust these people or DIY?
Does your car need front wheel alignment...if the ball joint as only failed on the boot and not the balljoint it's self then it's not always nessasry to change the fully part, only the boot..all garages work and look at thinks differently..get a few quotes from different garages ..If you are not a DIY mechanic or do not know any or friends that fix cars then unfortunately you will always be at the mercy of garages and the prices they charge.
@@BitsPieces Yes thanks. It says front wheel alignment too? Is it too hard a job for me to do?
You didn’t show the process of taking it out or putting it back on. Would have loved to see that as I’m having trouble putting mine on.
Do you mean the boot..its pretty obvious how it goes on by looking at the old one on the ball joint , you just take the old one off , clean the ball joint add some new grease and put the new on. on.
Bits & Pieces the diameter on the rubber boot seems to be too small for the diameter on the tie rod end. I tried everything I could but it was too tight, would not fit on so had to cut the base with the steel off. Hopefully that’ll be ok. Will monitor it.
@@veec.3367 There are different sizes, you should have bought a multi pack with various size, you could have always use them for other ball joins in the future..thanks.
Bits & Pieces I bought mine straight from the dealership. I did not know to get a universal package. Thanks for your comment
@@veec.3367 It should have really fitted then if you purchased it from the main dealer, maybe they gave you the wrong one...
What does MOT stand for?!?!?
Google is your friend
why didnt you show putting on the boot cover?
It just slips over.. if you need to see that, then you shouldn't be fixing cars..
I
Like the idea but of you are going that far in why not just replace the ball joint ?
Because the ball joint did not fail the MOT, only the rubber Boot did and that only cost pennies to replace.
Right right and driving it around with a dry joint and a failed boot full
Of dirt for days, weeks, months did t have any negative effect on the tolerances.. you’re right, I’m sure that haggered old gritty thing is up to factory spec 🙄
@@Smegma_pirate If you want to change the ball joint, change it..it's that simple..but if the balljoint did not fail itself, just the boot, and the balljoint it's self passed the MOT, then there is really only any need to change the boot..but like I say if you want to change the full ball joint change it..no worries
Informative video but you didn't actually show how to tease the boot over the ball joint or how you installed the o-rings. Also, if you buy the specific size needed instead of a multi-pack, the boot kit costs a fair bit more than 'a pound' as you mentioned!
if you work with cars regularly on a DIY basis, you would know how to put the o ring on and the boot its self..nevertheless it's pretty easy to work out how it goes..its upto the individual what boots and kits they buy that suits their own needs and skills..but if you work on cars regularly then a universal kit of various sizes is probably better value..thanks
@@BitsPieces This otherwise excellent video is obviously aimed at people who don't work with cars regularly on a DIY basis (regular home mechanics already know how to change boots) and would maybe benefit from seeing how to get the o-ring or spring clip over the boot without, say, tearing it or squirting the grease out! Plus they aren't likely to buy a £15 universal kit when they only need just the one boot.
The method I have always used is two short lengths of old metal brake pipe, Slid each end into the spring clip joint and expand it to slip over the rubber boot and once seated in the recess remove the pipe and the spring clip will return to its original size..Don't try using screwdrivers or L picks to work the clip spiral spring over the boot as 99 times out of a 100 your damage the new boot
I guess that is the point - "I can get the easy, less than a £1 each". Where from that is the key question, everyone can replace rubber! Ok mate get me Lexus IS 250 lower ball joint boots.... no can do, does not exist, can only be bought together with entire lower ball joint assembly for £122+Vat each. There is one supplier in Belgium selling them for 13Eu+8Eu shipping, 4 needed in total, so still ~£100 for just rubber boots. So the point here - not all cars are the same and you might be able to get generic universal rubber boot for £1 for UK made Ford or Vauxhall... yeah maybe, not for BMW, MB, Lexus, Audi etc.
These ones used come in various sizes, this video is aimed at people, what I would call, standard everyday cars that most of us have..This method can be used on BMW MG and so on that have standard track control arm ball joints and standard wishbone ball joints
nice simple video,straight to the point.
Thanks..I do try and keep them that way..so everyone is confident to have a go at doing it themselves
This is the completely wrong way to repair the ball joints. The entire joint is to be replaced....they say.... 😅
Well....Thank you for posting this video. I had my car in for MOT yesterday, and it failed due to perished ball joint & drop link dust covers. I was alright with that, it's a relatively cheap fix. But then I got tight with money, and got lazy too, and woke up this morning thinking "Perhaps I can get away with just replacing the bad caps ??"
And, yes, found your video !!!
I'll take the measurements, and be off to eBay !!
Thank you again, I owe you a drink for this video!!!
EDIT : And THANK YOU for advising to buy a multipack of different sizes !!!!
No washer on the top
They never have a washer
Good video, but thats an outer tierod, not a balljoint 😂
The track rod end as a ball joint
IF ANYONE CANT UNDERSTAND THIS SIMPLE JOB, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE A CAR,
Useless video. We'd like to have seen exactly how to remove securing o ring and especially seeing it getting fitted. I'm now away to find a video that shows this being done.
This jobs not for you then..take it too a mechanic..