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Do our cars use a metal spring/ring to keep the boot in place? Because I ordered oem boot and it didn't include a ring. I'm not talking about the snap ring that holds ball joint in place but rather the one that some cars use to keep boots securely attached. Like one in this link.
Because while replacing oem boot it falls off by the time I get ball joint in control arm. But I did manage to get boot back in place before tightening castle nut. But wondered if it would stay on until I figured it's sandwiched in there so didn't worry about it. However since I have AM greaseable ball joint of course had to overfill boot and split it right away as soon as car was lowered and weight was on font end. So now have to get another boot and not using ball joint separator anymore since its what tore my boot in first place. Instead getting tie rod + pitman arm puller from harbor freight.
New question. I bought a ball joint separator and it works but that tore a boot so I got a tie rod puller but it didn't fit over control arm (at least not with brake caliper + rotor in the way). Now I'm thinking best tool might be a 2 jaw puller? Any thoughts on 2 jaw pullers for ball joint + tie rod end removal?
Note: I banged on knuckle and everywhere else too with sledge but couldn't get it to release from control arm.
I used this one.
PB Blast, leave for a couple days, tightening a bit every half day and "Bang!" it came out
The problem I have with this tool is it rips my boots. That's why I'm thinking about trying a 2-jaw puller next time. Because even if I'm replacing new ball joint with new boot I'd rather not tear old boot + save as a spare.
