Ball Joint Question....

[B-Man]

So I'm putting S13 coilovers in my S12 - which means replacing the LCAs, Radius Rods, Tie Rod Ends and Rack Ends, and coilovers aswell. (The purpose is to give me adjustable suspension and the added bonus of upgrading my brakes from the pissy single piston to skyline 4 pot brakes)

Anyway.....

The LCAs I got has good ball joints, only the BJ boots are stuffed.

So I went down the the local autoshop and got some new boots. - they are the ones with solid metal ring in the bottom of them.

They fit perfectly - BUT - if I leave the ball joint circlip on, they kinda work up the taper - grease comes out the bottom...

However, if I take the circlips off, the metal ring fits snugly into the circlip recess.

So my question is - Is it OK to take the circlips out ? I'm looking at it all thinking which way do the forces go ?? The ball joint itself is firmly pressed into the LCA - but was thinking it may be there in case the ball joint slips out of the LCA...

Anyone care to comment ?

Or - should I just get new ball joints with the integrated boot pressed in ???

Cheers,

[T04GTR]

use the circlips. and bleed the air from the boots.

[robbieraver]

use the circlips, they are there for a reason, to keep the ball joint in, if sh*t happens.

[Simon-S14]

cable tie the boot on

[B-Man]

Thanks fellas - yeah will be keeping the circlips now I know they are a fail safe...

The boots won't cable tie on - there is no recess for the tie - they are metal ring ended.

Look like they will stay on when the spindle/knuckle is secured down.