Rear Upper Control Arm Ball Joint
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 776
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From: Dallas / Ft. Worth Metro
Rear Upper Control Arm Ball Joint
I used an aftermarket tool very similar to the Honda tool as recommended in other posts ($15 or so from Amazon) for the ball joint on the rear upper control arm. Is it normal for grease to squeeze out of the boot when using this tool? The boot doesn't appear damaged in any way but this happened to me during the process. It seemed like a substantial quantity but I have no idea how much is in there beyond estimating the volume of the boot 
I'm 99.9% sure I used the tool properly (seated properly on the top of the control arm under the boot). The ball joint broke free as intended, but I'm curious if I did something wrong or need to do something special based on what happened. Any and all insight is appreciated.
I'm 99.9% sure I used the tool properly (seated properly on the top of the control arm under the boot). The ball joint broke free as intended, but I'm curious if I did something wrong or need to do something special based on what happened. Any and all insight is appreciated.
Former Moderator
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Jacksonville, FL
It's not the best thing in the world to have the grease to squirt out around the boot retaining clip. You probably could have gotten the ball joint to pop a little earlier by applying pressure with the separator and tapping on the arm with a hammer.
If the boot isn't torn and still firmly attached to the joint, then you should be ok depending on how much grease was lost.
If you want to be anal about it, you can inject some grease with a grease syringe slid past the retaining ring (don't puncture the boot).
If the boot isn't torn and still firmly attached to the joint, then you should be ok depending on how much grease was lost.
If you want to be anal about it, you can inject some grease with a grease syringe slid past the retaining ring (don't puncture the boot).
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 776
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From: Dallas / Ft. Worth Metro
Thanks for the response neg. Actually the grease didn't come out past the retaining clip at the top. It squirted out at the bottom of the boot when I was mounting the tool (as strange as that sounds). I've cleaned up and inspected the boot completely for tears or punctures of any kind. I am unable to 'force' more grease out of the boot by compressing it.
This is the first time I've had to break this particular joint. If I had to guess at what happened....the boot was overfilled at the factory and the small amount of compression required to slide the tool in caused enough pressure for grease to leak out the bottom (knuckle-side) of the boot.
At this point, the boot appears to be in normal condition with sufficient grease remaining inside. I'm probably going to let it ride and keep a close eye on it.
Thanks!
This is the first time I've had to break this particular joint. If I had to guess at what happened....the boot was overfilled at the factory and the small amount of compression required to slide the tool in caused enough pressure for grease to leak out the bottom (knuckle-side) of the boot.
At this point, the boot appears to be in normal condition with sufficient grease remaining inside. I'm probably going to let it ride and keep a close eye on it.
Thanks!
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