Steering Arm to Drag Link ball joint boot

All, I replaced the steering arm to drag link ball joint on my Range Rover based trialer less than a year ago, the boot has already deteriorated to the point that it urgently needs changing

I'm wondering if I did somehting to cause this by the way I fitted it (my first time)? Maybe I've used the wrong grease (lithium based general purpose) and that's caused the problem? or did I just get unlocky with a cheapish part?

I plan to remove the damaged boot and clean out the grease then just replace the boot with new grease inside.

All thoughts welcome, thanks in advance.

Providing the ball joint is sound just change the boot. Just put a little grease on the ball joint don't pack the boot with it. Clean base of fitting than bares on boot and a little rubber grease between boot top and drag link fitting.

wammers said:

Providing the ball joint is sound just change the boot. Just put a little grease on the ball joint don't pack the boot with it. Clean base of fitting than bares on boot and a little rubber grease between boot top and drag link fitting.

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Thank you. I guess the idea is that the boot moves with the steering arm / socket and not with the drag link / ball?

RichardIStone said:

Thank you. I guess the idea is that the boot moves with the steering arm / socket and not with the drag link / ball?

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Yes the boot is to stop grit and moisture ingress. Changing it should not be a problem. Since split boots became an MOT fail many people supply them loose.

wammers said:

Yes the boot is to stop grit and moisture ingress. Changing it should not be a problem. Since split boots became an MOT fail many people supply them loose.

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MOT not a problem for the trailer ;-), interesting about the boot only replacement, I had to buy a whole new ball joint kit last year just to get the spring band that goes round the bottom edge!

RichardIStone said:

MOT not a problem for the trailer ;-), interesting about the boot only replacement, I had to buy a whole new ball joint kit last year just to get the spring band that goes round the bottom edge!

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Look on ebay it's loaded with them some daft prices though.