Using my cheap Harbor Freight ball joint splitter, I slit the rubber on the LOWER REAR ball joint. Finding these things is proving to be a pain in the ass, for some reason. I've attached a schematic from Majestic Honda, who sells OEM parts - they show part numbers for just the ball joint boot and some type of boot clip. Can just the rubber instead of the whole ball joint actually be replaced? If not, any ideas other than a dealer on where to get a replacement? I tried RockAuto, Autopartswarehouse, and a couple other links I found while performing a search - no hits yet.

 

Looks like the dealer carries both the boot and the boot retention band ($15 total). Not quite sure how to R&R the bands ..................without potentially damaging the rubber while slipping it up over the boot and into it's final location........ silicone grease to ease it up over?