I'm installing a new front wheel bearing on my daughter's 1997 TF. That was no great drama (after I lashed out $21 for a ball joint separator tool at a clearance sale). I took out the knuckle/hub assembly, and had a mechanic press out the old bearing and press in the new one.

However, during the process I damaged the dust boot on the lower ball joint. Now I just don't seem to be able to get a replacement.

R&E Auto got in a pair ($10) from the Roadsafe catalogue, which allegedly fit, but they have a 39mm opening at the base, and my ball joint is 42mm.

Repco wasn't much help. AutoBarn said they would sell me a whole ball joint plus dust boot for $30.95, but their catalogue says it is 43mm diameter.

Burson's would sell me a ball joint for $41.40, but it also seems to be 43 mm diameter, and I think comes from the same Roadsafe catalogue that AutoBarn uses. The boot looks quite different to mine, so I'd have to take out the existing ball joint and press in the new one just so I could use the new dust boot.

Mistsubishi won't sell me a dust boot, but will sell me a ball joint with dust boot for $65.

A wrecker I called won't sell me a dust boot, won't sell me a ball joint, but will sell me a whole lower arm complete with ball joint and dust boot!

I'm going nuts. Has anybody managed to work out how to buy a $5 dust boot?

Thanks,

GOM

Mitsubishi won't

Where in Vic are you located, Jolly Rgers have many of these cars, you do not need to use the tool to get the joint off either, these generally will destroy the boot

The replacement joint is 43mm as it is a press in item, the std I think is 42.5 from memory and the extra little bit is to ensure is a tight fit when replaced

MadMagna,

I'm in Pakenham. Is Jolly Rogers a wrecker? I haven't seen them in the phone book.

So, are you saying it's a tapered joint, say 43mm at the base but 42mm where it protrudes through the arm (where I have measured it at 42mm).

How should I have got the joint undone without using the ball joint separator tool? I tried whacking it as hard as I could with a hammer. No luck there.

Cheers, GOM

Jolly's is a pick a part place in Greens Road Dandy South, just up from the big Harvey Normans (near Greens/Dandy Frankston Road).

Go to mitsubishi and ask for not genuin parts half the cost and they have some there

tww,

Thanks for the directions. I think I'm almost resigned to going to a pick a part. That's a fair effort to go to though, just to get a dust boot, and then I only have a second-hand one.

LOUD1,

I asked Mitsubishi in Dandenong about non genuine parts, and got the old "Sorry Sir, we don't sell non-genuine parts".

Cheers, GOM

Go to ebay and type in dust boot / rubber boot. There is a place in Sydney that sells new ones for different size ball joints / tie rod ends etc.

Edit: They are available as I had to replace some of the boots on my sons TP wagon. Purchased same from this place:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com.au/suzukisuper_Boot-Kit_W0QQ_fsubZ12663793QQ_sidZ485063045QQ_trksidZp4 634Q2ec0Q2em322

Cheers

Loud1, what are you on about bud, Mists are not allowed to sell non genuine for Mits cars, please dont post bad info

OP, the ball joint is not tapered, I have replaced many in the past with after market ones and they do go in but have to be a very tight fit or they will fall out and we all know that would end in a very bad day. The aftermarket ones are a little larger to allow them to fit in nice and tight

Jollys is on Greens road, I am sure if you got the aftermarket boot it will fit fine given that they do have a spring on them as well to keep them on

Magna Diver,

Thanks for the web address. I had been poking around on Ebay without much luck (there seem to be a lot of Wellington boots for sale). The particular site you referred to doesn't seem to have anything the right size for a TF (I need 17mm small inner diameter, 42mm large inner diameter, 30mm overall height), but I'll keep looking. Someone must make them for a TF.

MadMagna,

Thanks, I'm sure I must be able to get an aftermarket boot. (Maybe I should look out for "Car Boot Sales").

Cheers, GOM

Magna Diver,

Thanks for the web address. I had been poking around on Ebay without much luck (there seem to be a lot of Wellington boots for sale). The particular site you referred to doesn't seem to have anything the right size for a TF (I need 17mm small inner diameter, 42mm large inner diameter, 30mm overall height), but I'll keep looking. Someone must make them for a TF.

MadMagna,

Thanks, I'm sure I must be able to get an aftermarket boot. (Maybe I should look out for "Car Boot Sales").

Cheers, GOM

Repco or Bursons may stock non-gen dust boots.

Nemesis,

Yes, I've tried that. They all look up the O.E.M. catalogue such as that at http://www.oem-products.com/f/PAJA%20Catalogue%202005-Edition1.pdf . From there they find out a part number for the TF Magna ball joint on page 79 which says BJ294 for the TF Magna. From there I think they look up in a "Roadsafe" catalogue (part of Q.E.M.?), which tells them that the appropriate dust boot is number RB122K. That dust boot however has a 39mm largest internal diameter, which won't fit. I've been through the same process now with R&E, Repco, and Bursons, and they all front up with the same part because they are using the same catalogue. There must be dust boots somewhere out there.

Cheers, GOM

How come your one is so different? Are there different sizes between different models of 3rd gens? Maybe yours has been replaced at some point. Do they list a different part number for say a TJ?

I would have though you would be able to stretch a 39mm ID rubber boot over a 42mm OD balljoint pretty easy, unless I'm missing something.

bollie7

I'm not sure why Mitsubishi won't sell you just the ball joint dust boot. I bought 2 from from Penfold Mits last week for $14 each. TJ Magna (should be same for TF I would have thought. Part No. MB573938 42.5mm at the base.

Jimbo;

No the TF,TF,TH and the TJ all have the same part number (BJ294).

free0z;

The after maket boot they supply separately has a metal ring around the base with a 39mm ID, so it won't fit.

Monster Inc;

Thyanks for the tip, I think I'll try different Mitsubishi outlets.

thanks for all the suggestions.
Cheers, GOM

tww,

Thanks for the directions. I think I'm almost resigned to going to a pick a part. That's a fair effort to go to though, just to get a dust boot, and then I only have a second-hand one.

LOUD1,

I asked Mitsubishi in Dandenong about non genuine parts, and got the old "Sorry Sir, we don't sell non-genuine parts".

Cheers, GOM

really? i was like three years ago... sorry mate, :S