How-To: Replacement balljoint boots/grease fitting install

[daver]

Does any have a source for replacement ball joint boots, without having to purchase an entire new balljoint?

I need to pull my control arms to install the energy suspension bushings and since there's a chance I could rip the original ball joint boots disconnecting the knuckle I would like to have replacement boots ready.

I know Energy Suspension makes ball joint boots for a few models, however they don't list a kit for the Neons. The tie-rod end boots are listed by size however so if anyone has the dimensions for a Neon ball joint I could match up an ES tie-rod end boot kit which would fit the Neon ball joints.

Aparently Prothane lists tie-rod end boots for the Neon, but again not a replacement ball joint end boot.

[Diablo0]

Ball Joint Seal - 4656464AA - $6.50 each USD MSRP

[daver]

Jason: these I assume are OEM rubber boots?

I found an Energy Suspension tie-rod end boot kit (poly)
Which looks like it will fit the lower ID of the OEM Neon ball joint,
however the post hole will need to be enlarged.

They're also cheap though at like $4 a set.

I'm sure ES/Prothane probably make ball joint boots which fit perfectly, if they would just list them, by generic size.

[FTWNeon]

Well, while removing my control arms I torn one of the seals. I just ordered a new seal and should have that in tomarrow but I have a couple of questions. How do I put new grease in, what kind of grease do I put in, and where can I get it?

Thanks for any help guys, Trying to get the car fixed by this weekend so I can drive down to Cincy.

[Diablo0]

Pretty easy, you'll need to buy some greese fittings from your local autoparts store. Just get the correct size which I'm not sure what size it is right now. On the underside of the balljoing there is a little nut thing where it looks like something was broken off (the fitting), it's supposed to be that way to prevent people from putting grease in and filling too much. You'll take that nut/fitting out and replace it with the fitting you just bought from the store, then take a greese gun full of some standard chassis grease, press onto the fitting and pump and feel with you fingers the boot until it's rather full but not exploding type full or you have the chance or rupturing the boot again. Once thats done you can either leave the fittings in there for later use or put the stock fittings back in.

[half_twisted]

so with that being said i can go buy new ball joints and just buy the grease fiting install and done..

[Diablo0]

Yes but the ball joints do need to be pressed in.

[half_twisted]

where do i locate the grease fittings?
im assuming that the best place would be on the bottom of the ball joint.

[Diablo0]

Yep, bottom of the ball joint.

[Addicted2Boost]

i tore my ball joint boot when i installed my struts how do i get the boot off and the new boot on?

[Neon4Life]

you dope. no bumping 4 year old posts..

but if u ripped it then u gotta take it all back apart. end of story.

[occasional demons]

The oem boot is pressed on pretty good. There is metal in it that keeps it on there.

Replacement seal:
4656464AA $7.30

You will only need to remove the lower retaining bolt, and possibly the sway bar, if equipped, and push down to separate the BJ from the knuckle. Then prop something in there to hold it away from the knuckle while you pry the old one off, and get the new one in place.

It might take a deep well socket and a hammer to tap the new one down.

[Addicted2Boost]

cool thanks i figured that but wasnt sure

[fox02neon]

I wish I would have found this site a few years ago