Car MOT - Suspension Arm Ball Joint Dust Cover

darkcloudi

Just got my MOT done on my Honda Civic and got an advisory item suggesting "Nearside front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt [2.4.G.2]"

I've got mixed opinions on whether I should just replace the ball joint cover or change the wish bone in teh future when the noise gets worse. At present there is no noise but was advised there is only a small tear which will allow dirt to get in and grease to come out.

Was hoping someone knowledgable with cars can advise, is it worth changing it now or just wait till it gets bad. If I change the ball joint cover now it will prevent it to get worse and save higher cost later but on the other side the car has done a lot of miles so it is likely the wish bone may get worse later. Not sure what the best option would be.

Makes sense to fix it early to prevent it worsening.

Rolandtheroadie

I'd leave it as it is until it breaks. You might break it anyway trying to do just the dust cover.

red_eye

consider this the boot keeps the grease in and the crap out, you can put the grease back in but you cant get all the crap out later on down the line you are going to have to change the ball joint. costing you twice the labour and a rubber boot not really moneysaving.com is it?

I would wait till it develops some play

hareng

Just replace both wishbones complete with ball joints £38.49 a pair then put in some poly bushes.
Hang on a bit then change the lot.

Joe_Horner

If you're happy to do the work yourself, change the boot every single time! About £3 for a boot and you'll keep the joint going for a good few years that way.

The ONLY reason garages stopped changing these was because the makers realised they could get more for selling complete joints (then complete wishbones when they started making them integral) and stopped supplying boots. It was an ENTIRELY economic move, with nothing at all to do with safety or the life of components!

If you'll be getting a garage to do the job it's a little more complicated because the labour for changing the boot will be about half that of changing the whole joint in most cases, so the economics aren't quite so clearcut.


eta: it's also far more environmentally friendly to just replace the boot instead of sending a complete arm for scrap / recycling if you're worried about that sort of thing

darkcloudi

Thanks all - I will wait as advised and then change the wishbones.

Not confident to change it myself, can do oil changes and normal service bits but this looks a little complicated to me.

Thanks again

lee678

scotsman4th wrote: »

I'd leave it as it is until it breaks. You might break it anyway trying to do just the dust cover.

gulp ! nooooo !

Joe_Horner

^^^ Good spot that man:rotfl:

lee678

dont wait till its got play in it or makes a noise meaning its worn, thats DANGEROUS, you wont be checking it everyday for play and it is advised for a reason, very least i suggest is try to repair it temporarily in situ [ clean then super glue or a good rubberised type silicon over surface] but seeing as civics are quite light on there ball joints [ not failed for play as often as some vehicles] then i would change the cover.

Rolandtheroadie

lee678 wrote: »

gulp ! nooooo !

It's a figure of speech. If it's not broke dont fix it.

Joe_Horner

But the boot is broken, so fix it before something else breaks as well

Lee's superglue suggestion is a good one btw - as long as it's a clean split you'll extend the life of the joint well for the sake of 5 minutes, a bit of petrol on a rag (to degrease it) and a dab of glue. I've known CV boots last a couple of years like that and they get a much harder life than balljoint gaiters That's a couple of years extra before the joint starts getting water and crud in it again which WILL extend its life

eta: on the other hand, play and noise doesn't always mean dangerous - Daf 33 lower balljoints are allowed 3mm vertical play according to the factory manual and they will be noisy by then. But without the manufacturer's play figures don't take a chance.