Ball Joint Boot Replacement and Inspection
Special Tools Required
Image Description/Tool Number
609761.png Bearing Driver Attachment, 36 mm 07965-SA50500
1149719.png Clip Guide, 45 mm 070AG-SJA0300
1. Ball Joint Boot - Inspect

Check the ball joint boot for weakness, damage, cracks, and inner boot grease leaks.

NOTE:
If the ball joint boot is damaged with grease leaks, replace the appropriate part as an assembly.
If the ball joint boot is weak and crack, but does not leak grease, replace the appropriate ball joint boot or appropriate part as an assembly.

Housing Bracket Ball Joint

3. Front Suspension Stroke Sensor - Disconnect


5. Ball Joint Boot - Remove
Remove the ball joint boot (A).


6. Ball Joint Boot - Install
1.
Pack the interior and lip (A) of a new boot with grease.
NOTE:
Keep the grease off of the boot-to-lower ball joint housing mating surfaces (B).
Use the grease that comes with the ball joint kit, or multi-purpose grease.
Do not let dirt or other foreign materials get into the boot.
2.
Pack fresh grease into the base (C).
3.
Install the ball joint boot.
4.
Squeeze it gently to force out any air.
5.
Wipe the grease off the tapered portion of the ball joint pin (D).
6.
Press the boot (A) with the bearing driver attachment until the bottom seats (B) on the knuckle ball joint housing all the way around.
7.
Wipe any grease off the exposed portion of the ball joint pin.

Damper Fork Ball Joint Boot

4. Ball Joint Boot - Remove
1.
Paint an alignment mark (A) at the center point between the boot clip ends (B) on the damper fork (C).
2.
Remove the boot clip and the boot.

5. Ball Joint Boot - Install
1.
Pack the interior and lip (A) of a new boot with grease.
NOTE:
Keep the grease off of the boot-to-lower ball joint housing mating surfaces (B).
Use the grease that comes with the boot kit, or multi-purpose grease.
Use the total amount of grease.
Do not let dirt or other foreign materials get into the boot.
2.
Pack fresh grease into the base (C).
3.
Install the ball joint boot.
4.
Squeeze it gently to force out any air.
5.
Wipe the grease off the tapered portion of the ball joint pin (D).
6.
Adjust the depth by turning the clip guide until its base is just above the groove around (A) the bottom of the boot.
7.
Slide the clip (B) over the tool and into position on the boot.
8.
Align the center of the boot clip ends (C) with the painted alignment mark (D) on the appropriate part.
9.
After installing a boot, wipe any grease off the exposed portion of the ball joint pin.