Upper ball joint boot damage

[mcmixmaster]

I recently installed a daystar leveling spacer... Things didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped but I got it done and I'm happy with the results!

One problem I had was with separating the upper ball joint. I was doing my best not to damage the boots but I did end up tearing one of them. I'm wondering, what's the worst that can happen if I don't replace it?

 

[sonerick]

It'll leak the grease inside and eventually wear out and start popping/clunking, and may cause some handling issues once it's really worn. People have had success with duct tape as a semi-permanent fix.

 

[kai920]

The grease becomes contaminated and then the joint eventually dries out.

That leads to excessive wear and then the joint will be loose and make noise and rough driving conditions. Could lead to improper tire wear or wear of other components.

The worst that could happen? Catastrophic failure of the joint, the joint separates while you are driving and wheel and tire basically fall off. It's common in 3rd gens and I've seen it in other cars. Search the forum for it to see what happens.

Cheaper to just have it taken care of.

 

[kai920]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/84794-ball-joint-failure-my-turn.html

 

[mcmixmaster]

Wow, I think I'll have to at least get some duct tape on there.

I used a pickle fork... I was actually surprised I didn't cause more damage to the boots. Is there a better way to get the joint separated?

 

[aha2988]

when your putting on the lift you dont need to seperate the ball joints. the lower control arm has to bolts on the bottom just behind the hub to the left and right of the lower ball joint. If you take those bolts out the lower control arm disconnects from the steering knuckels lower ball joint allowing you to push the lower control arm down to intall your spacers. aslo removing the sway bar durring installation helps getting the strut tower asy. in and out. always a good idea to disconnect the ABS sensor wires so you dont stretch them durring dissassembly of the control arms lower connection. when seperating ball joints its almost garanteed your gonna damage the boot usually ball joints arnt seperated unless there being replaced.