energysuspension.com | Tie Rod & Ball Joint Boots

Has anyone replace the dust boot only without changing the whole tie rod end? Do you recommend doing this?

Thanks,

 

the thing is you will have to juust about get it to the point that BJ replacement is only 1 more step vs Dust cover replacement. At the point you could replace the dust cover you just as well Press the old BJs out and replace them!!!

If its 4x4 you might have to replace the Knuckle seals to you have about a 50/50 shot at being able to reuse these Knuckle seals as they are pressed in

IMO you either leave it alone or replace the Ball Joints too

And Id lean towards replacment if they have over 100K

The quality of the Moogs are not what they used to be so that said if it was me Id check into a Servicable OEM/Ford BJs. By servicable I mean Grease Zerts

 

Thanks Benny,

It's a 4x4 and currently at close to 150K miles, bought it at 127K miles, all boots have cracks.

Looks like I may wait till I have to change to whole thing.

 

I went with non-serviceable Ford ball joints. No grease mess for me.

 

At 150k odds are the joints have already begun to degrade internally, so new boots is just gift wrapping a turd. Put the money towards new parts that'll last instead of a band-aid.

 

My OEM BJs went 75K

I just think you might get more Milage if they was Greasable they do Move ALOT!!

In the OEM BJs defense my Lift Kit and 35" Tires didnt help Longevity

 

I'm fine with getting 75k out of them. Ball joints are not hard to do when you have the right tools.

 

With a Stock truck you could very well go much longer

I swear I saw servicable OEM BJs awhile back

Mine was a PIA to get apart it was all rusted together. I had the right tools as well within reason for a DIYer

Its got a big tube of antiseize on it now should about fall apart next time LOL

 

I don't think I have the right tools

 

Getting the right tools isn't a huge ordeal. A BJ press, 4x4 adapters, one a specialty seal driver. You can get them all on amazon.com for $230.

OTC 7429 - Ball Joint Press
OTC 6731 - Adaptor Kit
OTC 6695 - axle shaft seal installer

You can probably rent the first two at an autoparts store, so really the $60 seal driver is the only one you 'have' to buy, and even then there are directions somewhere on here to make a home made seal driver for probably half the cost.

 

The seal driver for the 05+ trucks is different than the 99-04.

 

Good thing OP has an '04 then, cause that's the one I posted

PN for 05-07 is OTC 6697 IIRC. Lists as '06+, but should cover 05 to at least 07, maybe 10. Maybe longer. I dunno.

 

Yup, just mentioned it in case somebody with a newer truck stumbles on it. I think the seal design is the same for 05 to current. I bought my seal driver online. Well worth the money