ball joint replacement questions

[ZiggyPA]

We checked the ball joint but couldn't find any radial or axial play. But the boot had a small crack and this is probably why it failed the inspection.
So we just put a replacement boot on it. The only things you really need to remove is the wheel and the sway bar linkage. There is enough room to grind out the rivets and replace the whole ball joint as well if necessary.
I'll bring the car in tomorrow for inspection and see if it passes with this fix.

I greased the fittings as well. But how are you suppose to grease them every 5000 or 8000 km without the boot tearing or coming off?

[Smith1000]

Wow. I am glad we don't have inspections in Kansas. I replaced a ball joint recently that had about a half inch of up-down play-yet the alignment seemed very good. The new joint threw the alignment off. I adjusted the tie rod to set the alignment along the side of the road. It took a couple of stops, but it is aligned just about perfect now.

[ZiggyPA]

Be glad if you don't have inspections, it can be very hard even if you know the ways..
This afternoon the guy doing the inspection failed the car again, he insisted that the whole ball joint be replaced as there was some play if you jerked the wheel really hard.
I went to another inspector, he could not find any play on the ball joints as well. He said the play when jerking the wheel around was from the power steering housing, as this was nearly gone with the engine running...
He said he would let the car pass when I return tomorrow....