I'm replacing all my joint boots (upper ball joint, lower ball joint, tie rod ends) with the ES boots, somewhat as preventative maintence (1990 CRX DX). Now, I have my old knuckles with the old ball joints to mess around with and get a general idea of how the ES ones will go on, but I want to double-check before disassembling everything.

I see that the only thing that holds the boot to the ball joint is a small metal ring, that needs to be compressed inside the boot to hold it in. Is that all that keeps the boot on? I successfully got the boot on my old joint doing this, but don't want to do that and then find out something else needs to be done to seal it.

Also, what kind of grease should I fill the boots with? And is the best way to do it, is to just throw a crapload of grease in and squeeze the boot on and hope it stays in there? Any help would be greatly apprecaited, as I would like this to go smoothly and quickly. Thanks.


[Modified by OvERaCiD, 12:18 AM 8/2/2002]

 

the retainer spring will not fit over the polyurethane boots, just throw it away. pack the boot with grease, normal heavyduty grease. and put it over the balljoint. as you commpress the balljoint a lot of the lubrication will leak out, clean it up and everything will stay where it needs to be. that's how i did mine.
stan