I need your advice on a totally redneck Fiero suspension fix idea (Page 1/1)
Kitskaboodle MAR 24, 07:51 PM
Here’s the deal:
While in the middle of changing my rear struts, I happened to notice that my drivers side rear lower ball joint on my 85 GT has a very torn grease/dust boot. I’m thinking it’s been that way for maybe 5K miles or less. The ball joint seems to be fine. When I installed it 10-15K miles ago I fully greased it. Anyways, I was thinking that an EASY fix would be to find another dustboot, slice it all the way through, (vertically) place it around the ball joint and then glue the slit end together. Yes, the proper way would be to separate the ball joint and install the new UNCUT dust boot (and I do have a ball joint separator and pickle fork) but I was wondering if you think my redneck idea would work?
Thanks, Kit
fieroguru MAR 24, 08:02 PM
The rear ball joints are just a pinch bolt. Remove the nut, remove the bolt, use a screw driver in the pinch seam, pull the ball joint free. Super easy... so just fix it right and save yourself the time from doing it a 2nd time.
Raydar MAR 24, 08:19 PM

quote
Originally posted by fieroguru:

The rear ball joints are just a pinch bolt. Remove the nut, remove the bolt, use a screw driver in the pinch seam, pull the ball joint free. Super easy... so just fix it right and save yourself the time from doing it a 2nd time.



Second this. Easy fix.
Blacktree MAR 24, 10:26 PM
I doubt any glue repair will last very long. Just letting the car off the jackstands will probably flex it enough to pop the seam.
shemdogg MAR 24, 11:17 PM
Its pretty easy to change, just do it right n not worry about grease leaking everywhere.

shem
theogre MAR 25, 12:30 PM
New "Standard Style" boots often "blow out" because people use way too much grease.
Grease only just enough so boots just start to swell.
Grease in the boots does little to lube the BJ. IOW is waste lube.

Many Moog boots are made to prevent grease overfill but most others often don't have grease vents where boot hits the ball stem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j50h8QaLaIk
https://fme-cat.com/livedocs/DYK11_102_ENG-R.pdf
You can make a tool to vent by bending very tip of small screwdriver then use it to let grease out of the "top."

Note that Moog has change many BJ to have a new design boot.
https://www.moogparts.com/p...ion/ball-joints.html
https://vimeo.com/234850774
I haven't seen them for Fiero or anything else yet and don't know if they have same problem w/ overloading boots w/ grease.

Replacements of standard boots are possible but Do Not use Polly boots. Most if not all poly boots don't seal at the big end.
OE and Aftermarket "Rubber" has steel spring in them to seal the big end.

If you don't fix or use polly then must lube every few months max to force grease to remove dirt etc away from the joint. Or If you drive thru deep water that lower joints at minimum gets water inside then likely have to grease to force water out.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

Rexgirl MAR 26, 03:44 AM
Does anyone know of a part number for the 1985-7 steering tie rod end rubber boots? I have been unable to find rubber boots, only poly.
Rick Vanderpool MAR 26, 08:46 AM

quote
Originally posted by Rexgirl:

Does anyone know of a part number for the 1985-7 steering tie rod end rubber boots? I have been unable to find rubber boots, only poly.



Get the measurements off your tie rod ends and find universal ones that fit.
Rexgirl MAR 27, 02:33 AM
Years ago, I took measurements but failed to find rubber replacements locally. My hope was someone here might have already researched this part .