Upper Ball Joint Grease Boot (fit???)

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mbgoss

mbgoss

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Kansas City
Rebuilding the front suspension of my son's 1974 Ply Valiant and working with a rebuild kit from PST. We've installed the upper ball joint in the upper control arm (actually went better than I expected!!!) but I have concern about the fit of the grease boot. When I push it up as far as it goes, it is extremely tight on the threaded shaft part of the ball joint and does not reach up to the bottom of the upper control arm (see pic). The originals reached all the way up AND had a stiff (metal?) ring that sits flush with the control arm surface - in addition, they were MUCH looser around the ball joint.

I called PST, and the guy I talked to said he didn't think the boot was supposed to go all the way up. But since the originals do... as well as every picture of installed boots... I don't know if I trust him.

I'm trying to figure out if I'm making a big deal when it's not one, or if I really do need new boots that fit better....
ball joint.jpg
 
Is that rust putting on the taper of the ball joint?

I have never seen a seal like that.

Doesn't mean it won't work correctly.
 
Dana67Dart said:
Is that rust putting on the taper of the ball joint?

I have never seen a seal like that.

Doesn't mean it won't work correctly.
Click to expand...
It isn't rust on the taper, but there is an inconsistent finish that looks spotty - still feels smooth to the touch.

Here's another pic with the ball joint shaft at the extreme range of motion... I realize that with pressure on the boot it won't slip off as easily as it has here, but it still doesn't give me a lot of confidence that there isn't enough room for play without pulling the whole boot out of position.

I talked to PST again and they insisted that it's fine... without seeing pictures of it. So I guess if I need a better fitting boot, I'm going to have to find one somewhere else.
PXL_20220228_203611197.jpg
 
Maybe with the spindle on it won't move as much and the range of motion you mentioned.

I replace my uppers a few years ago and the upper part of the bellows type seal would never stay in place. It seemed to be designed to be pressed on to some extent. After messing with it I said he'll with it and moved on. When I fully rebuild the front suspension, I'll make it right.
 
I agree with OP. That does not look right. It looks more like an aftermarket tie rod end boot than an upper ball joint seal. It looks to me like either they included the wrong seal with the upper ball joint or someone's trying to cut costs by supplying a "bikini" boot for that ball joint. What's next, a thong?
 
S'cuder said:
The measurements on these are just about identical to the boots that came with the old school Moog K772 ball joints. Those are the ones which are replacements for the '73 and later A-Body uppers. I haven't found any other original style boots available.
New Replacement Rubber Ball Joint Boot for Moog K6145T Style Ball Joints | eBay
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Thanks! I was actually thinking along the same lines after looking for a bit online and seeing several references to the K772 ball joints.
Also found these boots from speedwaymotors.com
Replacement Screw-In Ball Joint Dust Boot, K772 Application

Hopefully I can find a good replacement, but I'm pretty disappointed with PST. I'm not happy about having to buy separate replacement parts after buying their "complete" rebuild kit AND contacting their customer service. But I don't have time to keep calling and arguing with them. I'll eat the lost cost and just make a note to take my business elsewhere next time.

I appreciate the input!
 
mbgoss said:
Thanks! I was actually thinking along the same lines after looking for a bit online and seeing several references to the K772 ball joints.
Also found these boots from speedwaymotors.com
Replacement Screw-In Ball Joint Dust Boot, K772 Application

Hopefully I can find a good replacement, but I'm pretty disappointed with PST. I'm not happy about having to buy separate replacement parts after buying their "complete" rebuild kit AND contacting their customer service. But I don't have time to keep calling and arguing with them. I'll eat the lost cost and just make a note to take my business elsewhere next time.

I appreciate the input!
Click to expand...

You're welcome.
I think either one will do much better for you.
I know you're disappointed, but I think PST is a good company. They have some good deals on stuff we need, like torsion bars and Bilstein shocks. My experience with their customer service has been good. I'm sorry yours wasn't.
Good luck with your car!
 
I wouldn't be happy with those boots either, whether they're functional or not. I'd want that threaded area covered to keep it from rusting.
 
S'cuder said:
You're welcome.
I think either one will do much better for you.
I know you're disappointed, but I think PST is a good company. They have some good deals on stuff we need, like torsion bars and Bilstein shocks. My experience with their customer service has been good. I'm sorry yours wasn't.
Good luck with your car!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback on PST. This was my first time ordering from them so it's the only reference I have, but knowing that others have had better experiences means I probably won't rule them out as an option in the future, especially because their selection seems pretty good.
 
mbgoss said:
Rebuilding the front suspension of my son's 1974 Ply Valiant and working with a rebuild kit from PST. We've installed the upper ball joint in the upper control arm (actually went better than I expected!!!) but I have concern about the fit of the grease boot. When I push it up as far as it goes, it is extremely tight on the threaded shaft part of the ball joint and does not reach up to the bottom of the upper control arm (see pic). The originals reached all the way up AND had a stiff (metal?) ring that sits flush with the control arm surface - in addition, they were MUCH looser around the ball joint.

I called PST, and the guy I talked to said he didn't think the boot was supposed to go all the way up. But since the originals do... as well as every picture of installed boots... I don't know if I trust him.

I'm trying to figure out if I'm making a big deal when it's not one, or if I really do need new boots that fit better....
View attachment 1715879310
Click to expand...

Please PM your details and I will see what I can do on my end to help you.

Thanks
James From
PST
 
I appreciate PST following up here, and I did respond to James with a PM.

Since I wasn't able to wait on that to resolve the issue, I did order replacement boots from Speedway Motors which were reasonably priced, shipped fast, and and fit MUCH better!

PXL_20220304_181447512.jpg
 
I just wanted to follow up with an acknowledgment and thanks to James from PST for reaching out to me and chatting on the phone about the issues with my order. He noted that they're doing some follow up to make sure that any issues with their current stock and suppliers are resolved.

I appreciate the company being active on here!
 
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mbgoss said:
I just wanted to follow up with an acknowledgment and thanks to James from PST for reaching out to me and chatting on the phone about the issues with my order. He noted that they're doing some follow up to make sure that any issues with their current stock and suppliers is resolved.

I appreciate the company being active on here!
Click to expand...

Good to hear!

I've had very good business interactions with PST.
 
mbgoss said:
I just wanted to follow up with an acknowledgment and thanks to James from PST for reaching out to me and chatting on the phone about the issues with my order. He noted that they're doing some follow up to make sure that any issues with their current stock and suppliers are resolved.

I appreciate the company being active on here!
Click to expand...
That's WAY better than MOOG. About 10yrs ago I bought almost $1000 of suspension and steering parts from them for my v10 4wd dually pickup. I tore a ball joint boot trying to install it(because it just didn't fit). I tried to buy a replacement seal, and they told me, to pound sand. So I had to buy another ball joint, and let the seal just "float". Years ago, MOOG used to be top-notch, not so much, anymore.
 
mbgoss said:
I just wanted to follow up with an acknowledgment and thanks to James from PST for reaching out to me and chatting on the phone about the issues with my order. He noted that they're doing some follow up to make sure that any issues with their current stock and suppliers are resolved.

I appreciate the company being active on here!
Click to expand...

Yup, they're a top-notch outfit, and James works to make sure everyone customer is satisfied.
 
S'cuder said:
Yup, they're a top-notch outfit, and James works to make sure everyone customer is satisfied.
Click to expand...
I am changing out suspension pieces on a 74 dart right now and have the same concern with the upper ball joint boots.
 
340_duster said:
I am changing out suspension pieces on a 74 dart right now and have the same concern with the upper ball joint boots.
Click to expand...
If you got them from PST, I'd recommend sending a DM to James from PST who is farther up in this thread. See if he can help you out. The ones in my first pic were DEFINITELY not the right size and I wouldn't recommend using them. James was going to look into it and might be able to supply better fitting ones.

If you need to buy some separately, the ones I got from Speedway Motors worked pretty well.
 
340_duster said:
I am changing out suspension pieces on a 74 dart right now and have the same concern with the upper ball joint boots.
Click to expand...

Please PM your info and I will look into your issue.

Thanks
James From
PST
 
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