Drop arm ball joint rubber boot FFS.......

flat · May 8, 2014

Okay replacing the drop arm ball joint on my fender.

Old cups pressed out fine

New ones pressed in fine with a special tool

Bottom plate/spring/circlip inserted no probs.

Fecking rubber boot. How the fecking feck do you get the large and small clips on the bloody thing? I ended ripping the rubber boot and mullering a clip.

I used a britpart oem spec kit which I wasn't expecting to turn up when I ordered oem. Won't use paddocks again lol.

Ordered a new cheap kit from eBay just for the clips and boot.

Anyone got any tips on how to fit the boot and clips?

Cheers

Ed!

Locky1978 · May 8, 2014

I had trouble with that as well.
I clamped a pair of long nose mole grips onto one of the ends or tails of the clip then stuck the moles in the vice. Opened up the clip as far as I could with a pair of pliers, almost like un-coiling it, then clamped the centre of the clip with another pair of moles. Slip it over the boot and let the mole grips go.
I don't remember doing the small clip on the boot though. That should just slide over the ball joint shaft when already installed on the boot.
It was a while ago I did mine.

flat · May 8, 2014

On right didn't think to try the small clip on the boot before putting it on the shaft.

Will try the mole grips thing, cheers

It's ****ed me off royally lol

Locky1978 · May 8, 2014

Yeah I've split a boot before. It's a right pita.

jamesmartin · May 8, 2014

you dont need top clip originally they didnt have one fitted as gaiter should be pushed down by drag link,i hate those clips and buy kits with garter type spring ring

flat · May 9, 2014

I think next time it needs doing I shall change the drop arm over with the one I have off a spare box. The cup pressed in tight but was easier to do than a previous one so I suspect the drop arm is becoming worn.

Is the drop arm off a non-PAS box the same as a PAS box? Cheers chaps

Station House · May 9, 2014

Would you get away with nylon zip ties instead?

Oldseadog · May 9, 2014

Am I the only one that dips the boot into hot water to soften it, which then allows it to slip straight on!

Once it has cooled down the top becomes a good fit into the groove and I don't need anything else to hold it in place, whilst the bottom end is held in place by the springy ring thingy!

flat · May 9, 2014

No, fitting the boot is fine it's the retaining clip that was the PITA!

A zip tie would work I reckon as it's not a high stress rubber boot, like say a CV boot.

Will try various methods lol and will leave the top clip off, I did wonder about that as the boot is quite tight round the shaft anyway

ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90 · May 9, 2014

Cant you put the clip round the boot first and then slide it over the ball joint?
Im just about to fit the new one to mine

flat · May 9, 2014

ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90 said:
Cant you put the clip round the boot first and then slide it over the ball joint?
Im just about to fit the new one to mine

Yep tried that and it was during that procedure that I slipped and sliced the boot with the end of it.

Going to try the garter spring clip james recommended or a zip tie

flat · May 9, 2014

ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90 said:
Cant you put the clip round the boot first and then slide it over the ball joint?
Im just about to fit the new one to mine

Oh and deffo buy the tool to do it makes the cup change a fiddle. If your near Brighton your welcome to have a to with mine

ONE LIFE LIVE IT. D90 · May 9, 2014

Ive got the old cup out mate. I just used a long bolt and a couple of sockets along with plenty of WD40. Cheers bud

jackmac · May 9, 2014

The only way I could get mine on was to put the clip on first. Boot lasted a whole month before something ripped through it

flat · May 10, 2014

boot inside out, and a pair of nylon zip ties and no securing ring at the top has got it on. no amount of vigourous wiggling makes the boot shift.

will check it regularly.

cheers chaps

Shifty1962 · May 10, 2014

I use zip ties with no issues. MOT man seems happy with them. Much easier than fannying around with the supplied clips.

flat · May 10, 2014

Shifty1962 said:
I use zip ties with no issues. MOT man seems happy with them. Much easier than fannying around with the supplied clips.

On a CV or a TRE probably not as they move to much, but this ball joint seems to not move a great deal from what I can see while laying under the car whilst someone steers it

flat · May 15, 2014

Okay the zip tie idea is ****. The boot lifted soon as I had torqued everything up and out the wheels on the ground. Had to take it all off and re-site it. Used the splint ring to anchor using lockys method with a vice and mole grips, worked really well!

Just need to fit the belt and fill/ bleed the system then my fender has PAS

Station House · May 16, 2014

Sorry

Thought it might work if you used one of the thinner ties and could locate the tie in the groove

Have to confess not tried myself as I changed the entire drop arm with the swivel pre-fitted

Glad you got it on

flat · May 16, 2014

Station House said:
Sorry Thought it might work if you used one of the thinner ties and could locate the tie in the groove

Have to confess not tried myself as I changed the entire drop arm with the swivel pre-fitted

Glad you got it on

Lol not your fault, I came to the same idea! Nothing ventured nothing gained so to speak!

No apology needed dude

Ed

Drop arm ball joint rubber boot FFS.......

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