[DeTomaso] Upper Rear Ball Joint Boots

[John Maffeo]

Doug,
   
  Here is a reply from John Taphorn on the subject.....
   
  John
  ________________________________________________
   
  

Suitable replacements are made by Energy Suspension.  The are sturdier 
to 
the originals and have held up well for years on my car.  The part 
numbers 
for the larger ball joints ( upper rear & upper and lower front) are 
9-13119.  I have found that if I trim ~ 1/8" around the base I get a 
better 
fit.  For the smaller tie rod boots, use part #9-13101. The 1/8th" trim 
applies here also.

I recently ordered additional supplies and replaced the dust boots on a 
current restoration project.  I found it easiest to contact Energy 
Suspension via phone from a number off their website and inquire about 
the 
location of local dealers.  When I called these dealers to determine 
inventory, they had inadequate supplies; but, were willing to have them 
sent 
to my home from their warehouse saving me considerable hassle.  Two 
come in 
a package that sells for under $4.  Terrific deal!

I'll get on my soap-box for a moment and encourage everyone with torn 
dust 
boots to replace them.  With the suspension completely apart on my 
project 
GT5, I took the time to carefully inspect the lubrication of the tie 
rods; 
even those with mildly cracked dust boots.  I was taken aback as to how 
poor 
the lubrication held up in this environment. The lubrication was dry 
and 
gritty. After cleaning thoroughly with brake cleaner, I zerked the ball 
joints and applied fresh grease.  When drilling the for the zerk, I 
found 
the cavities above the balls to be void of lubrication.

My point it that the ball joints are expensive and the effort to 
replace the 
dustboot and zerk the joint for new grease was minimal.  I would 
recommend 
the exercise to others.

JT

   
   
  

Doug Braun <doug at silicondesigns.com> wrote:
  Before I start making calls to the vendors, does anyone have any
recommendations for upper rear ball joint boots?

Doug Braun
blue 73L #5505




_______________________________________________

Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA

Archive Search Engine Now Available at http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/

DeTomaso mailing list
DeTomaso at list.realbig.com
http://list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso


       
---------------------------------
Get the Yahoo! toolbar and be alerted to new email wherever you're surfing.