Focus ball joint dust cover

ec_pc

Just failed NCT on 2013 Focus due to damaged dust cover for front right ball joint. Ball joint itself is perfect, but have been told that you can't get dust covers on their own, you must replace the entire ball joint.

I'm not overly mechanically minded, but does this sound correct? I would have thought it possible just to buy a dust cover, but I guess there are different types / sizes etc.

Advise welcome! Thanks.

The Continental Op

ec_pc wrote: »

Just failed NCT on 2013 Focus due to damaged dust cover for front right ball joint. Ball joint itself is perfect, but have been told that you can't get dust covers on their own, you must replace the entire ball joint.

I'm not overly mechanically minded, but does this sound correct? I would have thought it possible just to buy a dust cover, but I guess there are different types / sizes etc.

Advise welcome! Thanks.

The ball joints are so cheap there is no point replacing just the rubber which I doubt is available. You have to split the ball joint anyway if you could replace just the rubber so you might as well replace it completely.

Only problem is you really should get the tracking done after replacing a ball joint. They know that replacing the ball joint can put the tracking out so will retest tracking on the NCT.

The Continental Op

Suddenly realised I might have been talking about the wrong bit?

There are two ball joints on each side one on the suspension and another on the steering.

The steering one is the one I was thinking of (Tie Rod End) and its a small job to replace it quite DIYable.

However the one the NCT testers seem to go for is the suspension ball joint which isn't an expensive part (€20-€60) but is a much bigger job to replace. That particular ball joint is riveted onto the wishbone which makes it a pain to replace. You can however buy the complete wishbone from between (€60-€100).

dingdong1234567

The Continental Op wrote: »

Suddenly realised I might have been talking about the wrong bit?

There are two ball joints on each side one on the suspension and another on the steering.

The steering one is the one I was thinking of (Tie Rod End) and its a small job to replace it quite DIYable.

However the one the NCT testers seem to go for is the suspension ball joint which isn't an expensive part (€20-€60) but is a much bigger job to replace. That particular ball joint is riveted onto the wishbone which makes it a pain to replace. You can however buy the complete wishbone from between (€60-€100).

Just replace the wishbone, not worth the hassle drilling out the rivets on the ball joint. Done 2 new wishbones on an SMax recently. Simple enough job with basic enough tools at hand.

Dirty Nails

ec_pc wrote: »

Just failed NCT on 2013 Focus due to damaged dust cover for front right ball joint. Ball joint itself is perfect, but have been told that you can't get dust covers on their own, you must replace the entire ball joint.

I'm not overly mechanically minded, but does this sound correct? I would have thought it possible just to buy a dust cover, but I guess there are different types / sizes etc.

Advise welcome! Thanks.

I seem to remember someone telling me that they got the grease boots in Europarts.

ec_pc

Dirty Nails wrote: »

I seem to remember someone telling me that they got the grease boots in Europarts.

ok, any link by any chance?

The Continental Op

Check also eBay. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FOCUS-1-4-16V-Stabiliser-Link-Ball-Joint-Dust-Cover-Boot-Small-x-2/174196364112 looks a possible.

Dirty Nails

ec_pc wrote: »

ok, any link by any chance?

No link,but I believe it was Europarts (ex PR Reilly)
If you go that path,put a bit of grease into the joint.

dooroy

One of the motor factors I deal with told me a while ago that you can get a pack of these boots with a few different sizes .( I think they are a Sealey product).
https://www.sealey.co.uk/category/5637150637/ball-joint-covers.
Just found this .