I got about 100k on my Hon-stud and there's a tear on my front upper ball joint dust boot, should I replace the boot or am I better off getting a new arm/joint?

Dealer wants $140 parts/labor to replace the boot, seems a bit high as I believe the boot is pretty cheap. I figure maybe just get a new arm, which is quite a bit more, but if I'm going to have to replace it soon anyway I thought maybe it'd be better to do it now.

Thanks in advance

 

Quality aftermarket control arms can be had for $50 to $60. Probably a half hour shop labor but easy to do yourself. Don't bother with just the boot for $140.

 

agree that this is easy to remove/replace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR2f4xC2spY

also, think about buying both sides since I had to replace one side after a year of the other...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-97-Honda-...167072&vxp=mtr

can get a set of 2 now for the price of one these days since there's soo many vehicles out there on the road.

weird that the youtube vid had to reuse those bolts to the body of the car; most newer replacement control arms already have them on.

 

also, what that youtube vid didn't stress, torque specs:

 

Thanks a lot for the help Ricebike and Roader.

How long do ball joints usually last? From what I've read it can vary a lot.

Also, if I wanted to just replace the boot, do I need that Honda tool or can it be done easily enough without it?

Thanks again.

 

you mean the ball joint removal tool? it's not really a dealer part; you can rent them from advance auto parts or autozone



but, if you watched that youtube vid, you can just keep the nut on at the very end, then "shock" the joint with a hammer until it pops off... don't use those pickle forks if you're just going to replace the dust boot.

did you check for "play"? if there is play, might as well get the whole unit instead of a boot

http://www.************.com/forums/s...d.php?t=343393

if you think it's ok, go get a boot & replace it, only after washing the joint down well with brakeclean...

then, you'll need a greasegun with a special syringe-type attachment





ps: uppers are 3x more easier than the lower ball joints