Torn Ball Joint Boot

[Rev_D21]

Looking over the green truck this week I noticed that the right side upper ball joint boot is ripped in half. This is puzzling me because this is the second time in 2 years that this has happened. I replaced both upper joints back in 2009, alignment was done at that time too. Fast forward to Spring 2010, I noticed the right upper boot torn. I am using Moog joints. Carquest replaced the joint under warranty. I had an alignment performed again...I align the truck every Spring. When I had it apart the first time I didn't notice any burrs that could tear the boot. The second time I had it apart I noticed that the knuckle would turn freely but the boot wouldn't budge, it would get twisted up. It would return to shape when the steering was returned to center. I greased the hell out of it before putting the rest of the truck back together. I put no more than 9000 miles on the truck this Summer, boot is torn again! I am, of course, going to replace the joint this coming Spring. My theory is that the ride height is cranked so high that the boot is getting wedged between the knuckle and the control arm, not being allowed to turn with the assembly, does this sound plausible? Or is Moog just not a good BJ to have in these trucks? Any other ideas?

[longtooth]

Well is the rip horazntal or vertical? Is it a straight cut or jagged.

Seems odd that this would happen again.

[seang]

There are replacement dust-boots available. I've never used them, so I can't give a review; but they are interesting nonetheless. http://www.summitracing.com/search/bran ... ust-Boots/

[RT22]

Many of the plastic/rubber boots do not last long as they may have sat on shelf for yrs before being sold. My buddy bought new door rubber and it fell apart in a yr. he bought another set and looked at manf date on box was 7 yrs old, started to break down before he bought it. Best thing is when you replace get some good rubber conditioner, not armor all get some from pro distributor(google automagic) they supply pro detailers stuff is great and not expensive. Put the stuff on once a month to keep rubber pliable. Rubber under a car gets wet and dries every time it rains or you hit a puddle, rubber breaks down. Every one does dash and doors and they are never wet, and dry. Rubber under car needs dressing to make it last.

[Rev_D21]

It doesn't look like it rotted away, looks like it was torn by metal. It's split down one side and that's the exact same way the first one was torn as well. the front end of my truck is jacked pretty high, not my doing...lowering next spring, which creates a funky angle for the boot to squeeze between. I think it's getting pinched while turning. I'm replacing my LCAs next spring, bushings as well, so I'll clean up the upper spindle mounts while I have it apart. I think lowering the front will help relieve the angle that the UCAs are sitting at right now, should not squeeze the boots anymore if all goes according to plan. Just weird, two boots, both on the same side, both torn the same way and both on the truck less than a year. Got me puzzled.

[longtooth]

I think you have it figured out.

[RT22]

yeah if it tore the same 2 times you have a pinching or pulling issue of some type. You may want to get a bigger or smaller boot to work with lift kit. First you need to figure out what is actually tearing it, a pinching part or is it being stretched to far with lock to lock turn or suspension movement. Good luck on figuring it out but keeping conditioner on all rubber is still a good way to extend the life of stuff under truck.