6.9 strut rubber boot replacement

[dburkitt]

Hi,
Has anyone replaced the rear and or front rubber boots on the suspension struts?
Any pointers appreciated including depressurisation procedure if required and what needs to be taken off or not.

Regards

David

[daantjie]

Only the rear struts have dust boots/gaiters.  The front struts have the metal cups in which the buffers drop into.
It's best to remove the struts completely and to do it on the bench.  Likely you'll find the bottom ball joints will also need replacement. Also use the opportunity to clean the strut mounting area in the control arms. They are usually full of crud and there is a drain hole that always gets plugged.

[Randys01]

Make sure you have the boots on  hand before proceeding. They are as rare as and cost a bomb.
 I have  not been able to find a suitable replacement despite  a concerted search over recent years.

[Rolo]

If memory serves, Martin replaced my boots when he rebuilt my rear struts. 

Anyone have a source for front strut ball joints?  My front struts are ready for a rebuild and while out, I'll do the joints.

[Rolo]

Sorry, correction to above.  I bought new boots from the dealer at 180,000 miles.  The boots were fine when we rebuilt.

[dburkitt]

Thanks everyone.

My front struts do have boots, they sit inside the metal cups.

With regard to strut removal, how does the ball joint attach to the strut? I can see from the diagram that it seams to sit inside the strut leg, but what keeps it there?

Ta

[daantjie]

Those aren't boots, they're buffers/bumpers.

[Neil4speed]

I recently bought two of the ball joints for the rear, I got two from here, expensive for sure... but NOS https://www.ebay.com/itm/175714394241

Here is an option for the front: https://www.ebay.com/itm/115175619665

[rumb]

You may need a tool like this to get the front ball joints off.  Sometimes they are easy and sometimes near impossible.  Put the metal can in a vice and slip this tool in.  The wings on the tool are needed to keep wrench from bending!

If the rubber bumpers on front struts are bad TCJ in Germany can put new ones back on.  He also sells new metal cups.

[tcj]

If the rubber bumpers on front struts are bad TCJ in Germany can put new ones back on.  He also sells new metal cups.

correct, I can also deliver the front metal cups, the front joints and the rear joints as well as the rear rubber boots and the 2 hoses at the struts.
->PM me.

Best regards,
Thomas