ok guys need help,on my 2004 f150 pinched small hole in rubber boot on lower control arm, called dealer, guess what have to replace the whole control arm, boot dont come seperate.the cost $250.00 for just the part.does anybody know of any aftermarket place that i can maybe get just the boot,or and is there any way maybe i can patch the boot. does anyone know how long it will last if i dont replace it. thanks guys

 

Nobody can truly tell you how long it will last. Too many variables.

Is there any grease coming out? How big is the hole, tear?
If it's small, I have patched the dust/grease boot for people over the years, once, with rubber cement, another time with 'raw rubber' a strip of pure rubber that adheres to itself, you peal a cover off it, and put it around several passes. That worked best, but don't know where you can buy it. This was Milspec...
A tire patch might even work.

Normally when someone just wants the boot, it means the joint it covers is long worn out, thus they usually don't sell the boot.
You have a different case.

I know I would patch it someway, and just keep an eye on it. ten-thirty K miles would not be unexpected, even with dust getting in.
Chris

 

I would recommend a water bed patch kit, you can trim the patch the size you need and the glue that comes with them is pretty good.

 

You talking about the lower ball joint dust cover? If so there are OEM replacements available. Not sure for this particular ball joint size, but there are replacement dust covers.