65 ball joints

[Bill W.]

I still have 3 of my original ball joints . When I removed the control arms to be dipped I tore the rubber boot. Does anyone make replacement rubber boots ? Or has anyone repaired a tear ? I have heard the reproductions dont look the same .

[Edward J.]

Re: 65 ball joints

Bill, I have never heard if any one making a replacement boot for a factory ball joint, Any repairs will likely not work. as they blow up like a balloon once you start pumping grease into them. If the the boot is not torn to badly you may just have to shoot a shot of grease into the joint once a year. and just wipe off the excess around boot.

[Joe L.]

Re: 65 ball joints

I still have 3 of my original ball joints . When I removed the control arms to be dipped I tore the rubber boot. Does anyone make replacement rubber boots ? Or has anyone repaired a tear ? I have heard the reproductions dont look the same .

Bill------


I don't know that the boots would be replaceable even if you had a replacement boot. These boots were retained by a metal band. I don't know if that band can be removed or re-installed without damaging it or the boot.

Only OEM ball joints had this type of boot retaining mechanism. Every aftermarket ball joint I have seen use no boot retaining mechanism and simply rely on compression between the boot and the spindle to retain the boot. In my experience and opinion, the OEM system works much better.

The restoration ball joints now on the market are very similar to the originals and differ in only minor ways.

[Mike E.]

Re: 65 ball joints

Bill,

Here are some images comparing original upper and lowers to reproductions. I see in your profile your in Illinois, I'm about 90 miles east of Chicago about 3 miles off I80/90. If you decide to replace them I've got every thing to install new rivets. Bring the arms over some weekend afternoon, we can pop some new ones in.











Mike

[Bill W.]

Re: 65 ball joints

Thanks for the offer Mike but Im about 12 miles from St Louis .

[Gene M.]

Re: 65 ball joints

Bill,
You may get lucky at swap meets. The full size chevy uses the exact same control arm assembly. Issue is most disassemble with a fork and hammer and that just destroys the rubber. But it may be worth a try........

[Bob J.]

Re: 65 ball joints

I still have 3 of my original ball joints . When I removed the control arms to be dipped I tore the rubber boot. Does anyone make replacement rubber boots ? Or has anyone repaired a tear ? I have heard the reproductions dont look the same .

Bill, if you can find a used ball joint, regardless of condition, I can walk you through changing out the seal. I've done quite a few without a problem. Bob Jorjorian

[Alan D.]

Re: 65 ball joints

Here is an upper boot, note part number.
Now will a judge see these, doubt it and even if they do the point reduction is in the decimal area (not even a dot).
The lowers also have part numbers. The previously shown samples look pretty good. The only way to get one with the part numbers is a NOS unit and some of these are so old the rubber will split when filled.

[Bob J.]

Re: 65 ball joints

Here is an upper boot, note part number.
Now will a judge see these, doubt it and even if they do the point reduction is in the decimal area (not even a dot).
The lowers also have part numbers. The previously shown samples look pretty good. The only way to get one with the part numbers is a NOS unit and some of these are so old the rubber will split when filled.

Alan, nice pic.
Different years have different numbered boots (seals).
There are many "used" original seals, ball joints and complete control arms out there with useable boots. Age really isn't the only reason they fail,most ball joints get removed with a pickle fork and that destroys most boots.
I don't replace things to gain "points".
I do it to be original/stay original. I have no idea how many points are assigned if being judged is a person's goal..
Bottom line, it really boils down to being original or chasing points. Bob

[Mike E.]

Re: 65 ball joints

I think somewhere I read when they created the mold for the repop boots they used an old deformed boot as the pattern....Alan's photo reflects that mistake. (his are correct)

I've also seen some pictures of NOS service replacement lower arms and the rivets were installed in the opposite directions.

Mike

[Greg T.]

Re: 65 ball joints

AFC may sell you a boot. They are part of their reproductions.