new ball joints, but torn rubber boots???

[mcota86]

I had my ball joints replaced 9 months ago and now the rubber boots are torn on lowers, worse on driver side front. I now am experiencing the wheel shaking over 30mph and pulling to the driver side when i let go of steering wheel. Is it the rubber boots causing this? What else could it be?

[mcota86]

Also had the hub assly changed on that side about 2 days before the ball joints. I really want to kind of know what I am talking about, so the mechanics at the shop do not try to ruffle my pocket book. Please help!!!

[inafogg]

swap/x your front tires, see if it changes

[Bill Grissom]

Unlikely ball joints would wear out in 9 months even if no boot. I think early cars had all exposed suspension parts and they drove on dirt roads and thru mud. Worn ball joints often cause cupping wear of the tread (scalloped chunks missing). I don't think it would cause it to pull. Maybe vibration but probably a higher frequency than the tire rotation - more of a shimmy than a thumping.

Every time I have had a car pull to one side, it was not the suspension or steering, but the tires. "Swap the tires and see" above is excellent advice.

If you want to fix the torn boots easy without disconnecting them, I have used "self-fusing" silicone tape. It looks like electrical tape, but is much better and costs ~$7/roll. It comes in red or black at most hardware stores or Home Depot, usually in electrical aisle. Clean off grease first. I use gasoline on a rag.

[x3mtm]

maybe they forgot to adjust the tierods when they changed the ball joints, so it pulls to one side ...is your driving wheel straight? i have to adjust the tierods on mine, so if i drive the wheel straight it pulls to the right.