P38A When do ball joints need changing?

Having fixed the head lining with a tasteful job...... thought I should get mucky again so have changed the suspension air bags, have the EAS block out waiting for new seals (tonight hopefully). Currently also have the track rod out as both track rod ends were/are very wobble. whilst taking this off I looked at the ball joints and cannot feel any play but the rubber covers are perished. Currently we have no MOT here in Jersey so not a problem from that point of view. Do I need to attempt to do them or just leave until the wheel is wobbling like a circus car? Shall I clean and just rub some grease in there? Also the half shaft seals are 'damp' but never had a drop of oil on the floor nor lost a measurable amount.

Currently I am just going to replace the track rod and both ends, the drag link might have been changed and feels tight. But if the ball joints might suddenly and rapidly fail perhaps while away for 3 or 4 weeks than I might have ago. In an enthusiastic moment bought a kit from flebay but it is rusty on one side and seems a hell of a job and if I bodge it up there are no scrappies on Jersey to go and get a second hand axle.....

Thanks for taking the time to read and hopefully reply.

The dirt and rust will get in and wreck them sooner or later so if you can get something round to protect them that would help. But if it isn't an MoT fail I would wait until you start feeling the vibration on the steering.

Dab some glue on the splits and run them till they develop some wear or play. Worth doing the balljoints and halfshaft seals all in one go.

The kit off the Bay will probably be no good for you,the dust covers are internal fitting not external like most others.

Thanks Guys,

that is useful, will give it a clean, see if can add some glue and perhaps even split an O ring and glue that around then coat with some CV grease.

Saved me from myself there!

Cheers

These days I don't have the appetite for splitting big swivel joints like the P38 ones. My solution was to buy a half metre of 6mm vacuum pipe, cut it to the circumference of the existing boot then cut away the old rubber leaving just the spring clip on the joint. Next, cut about 25mm of wembley wire. Wrap the pipe around the swivel then push the Wembley wire into the pipe accompanied by a squirt of Superglue. The wire makes a very effective coupling for the pipe. Finish off with a wipe of Acetoxy Silicone just so's it looks right. 2 MOTs later the repair is still good and no wear in the joint either. Tester didn't even mention it!