Ball joint boots, anyone have a resource?

I'm pretty good at researching parts but unable to find balljoint boots that can be bought separately from the tie rod ends or draglinks, etc.. I need to be able to search them by size and because the guys at the Napa counter can only offer me a generic one-size-fits-all boot that just won't fit and definitely won't seal in the grease and out the dust.

I found a product called "The MOOG boot" but can't find a part number or sizes available.

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_dev-wp/2688/the-moog-boot#.UG58Ao7bWHk

My draglink is not the stock one that came on this truck either. The part number is somewhere there under the paint and rust, but I'm not even sure it will help. It's in great shape and is heavy duty, so I want to keep it.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

Try these guys: http://energysuspension.com/ they have a universal section that shows you how to cross measurements to part numbers,you may have to call tech line for the ball joint boots.

 

I'll check that out, thanks.

 

I run energy suspension black poly dust boots on Moog chassis parts. The Moog boots are a great design but still crack over time.

 

I don't know the part numbers but Help used to offer the boots as did Moog. Maybe squirrel will see this and give you the correct info.

 

I just used some of these from HELP...they lasted 6 months

 

The street rod shops have pastel boots for their Easter eggs but they do make them in black too.

 

hahaha!

 

I found various sizes at NAPA in the section where they sell miscellaneous generic parts, like the "Help" section, after the counterman told me they didn't have any.

 

I ordered these the other day...

Here...

 

you know, if they have these in the "help" boxes both oreilly & autozone needs their hind ends kicked. several stores of each told me they couldn't get them. disclaimer: of course i'm not talking about your store if you work at one.

 

x2!:d

 

I think those polyurethane boots are a bad idea. They barely fit, and they lack retaining rings like many OEM boots have.

The Moog boots would be nice to get, but they come in many styles depending on the application. And I don't think they really want to sell you a boot, because a ball joint with a missing boot is probably contaminated with grit and will fail soon.

If you want to try something, I would suggest something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ball-Join...274&pid=100011&prg=1005&rk=1&sd=180829375529&

Or this:
http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/0741360...ust-covers-medium-large-top-hole-65979777.htm

Note that they come with wire clips.

I see that they are both UK sellers. I am guessing that has something to do with this recent decision:
http://am-us.delphi.com/news/pressReleases/pr_2012_08_22_001/

 

The "help" stuff is complete garbage, and far too generic. In a pinch with NO alternative it may get you by, but in the long run you're only asking for a failure.

I think the parts counter guys just don't want to put any effort into finding the right part. I run a parts department at a national RV dealership and I know the difference between solving someone's problem and brushing them off because you don't care.

Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, there really arent many parts stores left where you can get the right answer without having to really oush the guy across the counter to dig deeper and spend some time with you. And even then, a lot of them are just there for a paycheck and don't know didly squat.

 

I understand that, but in my case they aren't missing, just crushed and close to failure.

 

I had your same thoughts originally.

Now with a decade on them, I'll keep using them on future work.

 

I've hit the wreckers a few times for replacements. It's a big pain to disassemble a front end to get a boot, but they're usually in good shape.

 

+ 1 for the energy suspension boots.

 

Thanks for the personal experience. I never trusted them long enough to keep them that long. Is that on a daily driver or a weekend car?

 

Under 100,000 miles since I've carpooled. But I've owned it for 15 years give or take and have had my share of torn rubber ones on other very similar chassis.

 

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-87-Tie-Rod-End-Boots-Polyurethane/productinfo/76-005B/

http://www.dormanproducts.com/gsearch.aspx?type=keyword&q=tie+rod+end+boot

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/p...010841W41260599c6350&apwkwd=ball+joints+boots

http://www.google.com/search?q=ball...&tbo=u&ei=5lx8UKX2IMXF0AHI8oGQBw&ved=0CDUQsxg

 

I bought some out of the help section at the zone, when I changed the springs in my car, I haven't driven it yet and they already fell off. maybe going to the salvage yard and taking some off a another car isn't a bad thought.

 

!

Pretty stinking good. One thing in their favor is that they are thick, which reduces concerns about cracking, which does happen with OEM style boots. I guess if the joints come with zerk fittings, then they can work fine. (IE, if any contamination migrates under the seal, then fresh grease every so often will push it out and keep the joint intact.)