Question..Lower Ball Joints

[wmsimcox]

Is there any way to repair a small pin sized hole in the ball joint boot?
The joint is fine but a very small amount of grease comes out of the pin sized hole. Seems like there ought to be a way to repair it without replacing the whole thing.
If not, how difficult is the R&R of the lower ball joints on a 1997 4wd Sierra?

[2000CAYukon]

The lower ball joint is held in place with 4 rivots. But you do not need to R&R it if you only want to replace the boot (assuming you can get one to match the ball joint - what I mean here is that a Moog boot may not fit an OEM ball joint).

There is no spring in the front end on a 4x4. Torsion bars are used instead. To remove the ball joint, you will have to unload the torsion bar. The rivots also need to be drilled out.

To remove the lower ball joint boot, you would have to put the floor jack under the lower ball joint to take the load. Then remove the cotter pin and nut, then using a pick fork (or a good dead blow hammer) break the lower ball joint free from the knuckle. Replace the boot and put it back together. Lube and check the alignment.

//2000CAYukon

[BCMaxima]

Originally Posted by wmsimcox

Is there any way to repair a small pin sized hole in the ball joint boot?
The joint is fine but a very small amount of grease comes out of the pin sized hole. Seems like there ought to be a way to repair it without replacing the whole thing.
If not, how difficult is the R&R of the lower ball joints on a 1997 4wd Sierra?

Don't laugh here but I've got three suggestions.

1) If it's butyl rubber, you might try cleaning well and using a tire patch kit.

2) If it's some type of vinyl, you might try a waterbed or air mattress patch kit.

3) Hot melt glue gun?

In any case, not sure how long the repair would last but maybe long enough to get you through till you can replace it.