Lower ball joint rubber grease seal?
Has anyone replaced the bellows type grease seal on the lower control arm ball joint. The seal in question has a steel tube bonded to the rubber and slides on the body of the lower ball joint. The ball joint is the factory type with the long proboscis sticking out. Hate to replace a ball joint for a rubber seal. The vehicle is a 66 but this probably applies to many years of corvettes. Thanks!
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Re: Lower ball joint rubber grease seal?
Had a similar problem, solution was to purchase an original joint and remove it's rubber as the replacement.
Notice these parts even have their own GM part number. Sorry!Comment
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Re: Lower ball joint rubber grease seal?
I am sorry to hear that news. Is it the same for the upper ball joint as well? Seems the rubber parts have a dislike for grease which odd. Problem was not too much grease - the seals are just cracked and torn where there is an angle in the bellows. About five years old and about 5000 miles of very gentle service. Anyone have this problem?Comment
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Re: Lower ball joint rubber grease seal?
John------
Yes, the seal and retaining band were never available for either the upper or lower ball joints as separate parts from GM. There are aftermarket seals that can be used but they are not configured anything like the original seals.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Lower ball joint rubber grease seal?
Thank all of you for your help. I decided against replacing the ball joints in order to get the seals. Would be glad to pay whatever it took to have useable seals but the fact that the ones issued with the reproduction ball joints only lasted a few years and accumulated so few miles assures me that the rubber used is just not up the standards of a useable replacement. Ordered a set of " Prothane" upper and lower replacement application specific boots and will try them knowing full well they do not resemble those used by GM in 1966. Hope that "function over form" will give a better outcome in this case. Once again, I think we all question why reproduction parts are in so many cases lacking functionality. Why go to the trouble to make something look just right and ignore the fact that the darn thing will not do what it needs to do for the service intended? A little bit more research and engineering would have or could have produced a useable item.Comment
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Re: Lower ball joint rubber grease seal?
John you may ask some restorers or parts companies if they could help with good used originals. The boots often get holes in them if a fork is used so undamaged originals are harder to find. Getting the metal retainer off without hurting the boot takes some patience. Used a arms with original joints are a source if no tears are present. Bair's or Paragon may help. Swap meets and e-bay for used a- arms, but a good inspection for tears is needed. It takes an effort if you really want them.Comment
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Re: Lower ball joint rubber grease seal?
Gary and Mark, Yes, the joints are Americas Finest. I talked to several vendors about replacement boots but no help from them. Called the vendor and talked to Mike M. and he agreed to send replacements. No idea when they will arrive but Mike said he would send them. Will post here when they arrive. Just wanted to tell you folks thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. Will report here how things work out!Comment
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