Front Upper Ball Joint Rubber Boot

[Masera]

Posted this up on the State side ML forum but haven't got any input, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to post it up here also.

In the process of replacing my springs, I tore the front upper ball joint boot. Does anyone know if I can just buy the boot? Maybe not a Maserati part, but a universal?

 

[Zep]

https://www.suspension.com/universal-dust-boots.asp

Or eBay.

 

[Masera]

Thank you for the quick reply! I bolted everything back up, so before I go about unbolting everything again, does anyone know the size I would need or possibly have one laying around and can take some measurements for me?

 

[Zep]

I would PM GP79 - I think he changed one of his during his rebuild.

 

[Gp79]

Hi Masera,

I used these on the lower fronts, size XL.

I believe they would also fit the upper fronts as well.

All the best Greg

 

[Masera]

Thank you much! Now I have another problem. The big ring nut is now stuck on my rear shock! Can't turn it in either direction. Anyone have any input before a damage something here?

 

[conaero]

Thank you much! Now I have another problem. The big ring nut is now stuck on my rear shock! Can't turn it in either direction. Anyone have any input before a damage something here?

You wont, you need to take it to a garage who has the correct C spanner. You also need to compress the spring and clean the thread liberally with paraffin.

 

[Masera]

Well Conaero, I ended up stripping the threads on the shock and buying a used one on ebay which at the end worked out well. The big nut was bonded to the shock for what ever reason.

 

[Gp79]

Just saw this, sorry too late.

I struggled to remove one locking ring on a shock, thought i'd have to cut it off to avoid damaging the threads on the shock, even with spotlessly clean threads and loads of penetrante oil. I got it moving in the end just by working it backwards and forwards.

Glad you got there in the end, did those ball joint covers fit the upper?

 

[Masera]

As far as the ball joint covers, I ended up just replacing both of them completely. They weren’t that expensive ($90 each) and easy to replace.

 

[Gp79]

Fair enough, yes at least the upper fronts have seperate ball joints so much cheaper than replacing the whole arms like on the rest

 

[Saigon]

As far as the ball joint covers, I ended up just replacing both of them completely. They weren’t that expensive ($90 each) and easy to replace.

Hi Masera, you didn't happen to measure the hole sizes for the ball joint covers did you. Upper (small hole) / Lower (larger hole) ?

 

[wifedrivestheclio]

Hi Masera,

I used these on the lower fronts, size XL.

I believe they would also fit the upper fronts as well.

All the best Greg
View attachment 49426View attachment 49426

Thanks for sharing this. I have spoke to RhinoRubber and a really pleasant chap explained they can only sell to the trade. Anyway he was able to give me details of one of his distributors (Motor Parts Direct) who sold me one for £9. Assume upper and lower cover are the same.

 

[Masera]

I sort of mangled the boots when removing the balljoints, but when I get a chance I will provide measurements of the base and shaft.

 

[wifedrivestheclio]

By way of update the XL does work but perhaps a bit big. I suspect the next size down (presumably L) would be a better fit (but not tried).