Last nut to torque down on the ball joint replacement project and turns out one of the boots had a tear in it. Are new boots an option? Seems silly to have to press this one out, order a new one, etc. when this joint is perfectly good.

EDIT: Doesn't look like new boots are available. Current plan is to order a new ball joint and just transfer the boot from that over to this so I don't have to re-press new joints.

 

I don't know of any oem-like rubber boots, but https://polyboots.com/ makes polyurethane dust boots for ball joints. You just need to know the size. I've had them for my steering bar tie rods for a few years without issue.

 

tear probably happened as you pressed it in. almost pinched mine when i installed new ones last year. those top ones can be tricky

 

I had same problem. Local shop pinched one. I just used silicone tape and said F it. Last ones lasted for years with cracked leaky boots. I replace it again in 10 years....

 

really not as critical as people think. One of mine has pretty much all 4 boots torn and is still rock solid and I've owned it for 8 years and has been used hard.

 

I agree. Drove a Disco 40K miles and 5-6 years with all 4 boots totally missing (but joints good). When I sold it, they were still good. My current Disco has a missing boot on 2 joints, and I'm leaving them alone.

 

How much of a pain in the a$$ are these to change? Mine are original - 2004 SE7 w/ 116k miles. Doing a 2in lift and replacing brake rotors soon, might as well address ball joints and other bushings. Owned it for nearly 18 years, hoping to get another 18 out of her.

 

The degree of difficulty is exponential depending on the rust situation your disco does or doesn't have. Absolutely cake on my 2002 from CA, but I had another from the northeast that was a bear. I'd do them regardless.

 

If no play I wouldn't touch em. Not worth the potential headache if they are solid.

 

Also, if you replace the ball joints, all the banging about to get them off then causes the axle seal (hub seal) to go bad. So I usually recommend replacing the front axle seals if you do ball joints. Just FYI. They'll start leaking your front diff fluid out a few months later usually...