Ball joint boots disintegrated

[Richard33770]

2003 Expedition. 82,000 miles.

Ball joint boots disintegrated, the rubber dry rotted (?) and the joints are creaking. Anyone know if there was a recall or service bulletin of any kind, as it certainly appears as though the rubber material was garbage?

May be in the wrong section, but does anyone know of a good F-150/Expedition mechanic in the Clearwater/Largo, FL area to to the job on the ball joints and replace the shocks and struts? I used to enjoy doing that sort of repair, but getting too old for it now.

 

[Trainmaster]

It's almost 19 years old. Its earned its retirement.

 

[RichardH]

I'm ashamed to reveal my upper ball joint boots, but pleased to say it now has new upper control arms/joints and sway bar links. Suspension shop said the lowers were fine oddly enough.

https://imgur.com/a/aAv43QM
https://imgur.com/8hjpK1S

 

[Hamfisted]

Any alignment shop can do the work. Pepboys, Tire Kingdom, etc .... the parts are cheap, the labor is not .... Look at doing the lowers on all 4 corners.

 

[Aspen03]

It's almost 19 years old. Its earned its retirement.

My thoughts. That's a long time for any rubber component and I would expect it to fail. Be glad thats all that's rotted.

 

[Richard33770]

Thanks for all the info. I would have thought th rubber would have lasted longer, but it's relatively thin and has to flex a lot, so I suppose that's normal. Now, to have to look at large numbers. I can't do this myself - would have at one time, but too old for it now.

Hamfisted mentioned 4 corners. You mean there's more? Yeah, I'm dating myself: last time I did anything like this, my car was a solid rear axle.