Ball joint boots

[svvg]

Has anyone simply replaced the rubber boots over the ball joints on any of the front suspension components rather than replacing the whole arm? Seem to be lots of availability on ebay but not sure what size is needed nor on quality and ease of fitment?

I've got a small nick in the boot on part 10 on the diagram below around the ball joint end where it mates to the hub - the arm is fine and no play and no real dirt ingress just yet either - so be nice not to have to change the whole arm (especially as I recently pressed in new end bushings... and I'd feel obliged to change both sides rather than just one).

Many thanks!

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpar ... Id=31_0521

[henrym3]

I've used after market dust boots on my VW probably about 4 years ago, still fine. They weren't difficult to fit, it can be difficult to get the arm separated from the hub but you can use a ball joint separator and it doesn't matter if the old boot is damaged further.

[svvg]

Thanks for this. Have replaced lots of arms before and have a good splitter. Good to know someone’s replaced just the boot though. Don’t suppose anyone knows the correct size or can recommend a seller/exact parts?