I put a nick in a ball joint boot. Can I repair the boot?

[curls00]

While changing the wheel bearing of my mother-in-law's Mazda3, I put a very small nick/hole in the lower ball joint boot. It's about 2mm big -- it's quite small. Some grease came out of the hole but not a lot. I'd say about 1" long worth out of that tiny hole.

Anyhow, this particular ball joint is only available as a full lower control arm assembly for $170+. Since the balljoint is still good and there's still lots of grease in it, I was thinking of repairing the boot. Would I be able to use contact cement and a patch of appropriate size to prevent any water or dirt from entering, or grease from exiting the joint? What about using JUST contact cement, gooped-on fairly thick, to self-seal the hole to itself? I was thinking of something like the product "Goo" but then realized that rubber boots call for contact cement, which I have handy.

Any opinions here?

[skidz88]

You can try your cement solution. But I have a hard buying the fact that your cars balljoint only comes as a whole control arm assembly. Contact Carquest and see if they can get you one, shouldn't cost more than $70. Of course if you did this then you'd need to have a shop press out the old ball joint and press in the new one, or maybe you can rent a press kit from PA or CT.

[l69norm]

....What about using JUST contact cement, gooped-on fairly thick, to self-seal the hole to itself? I was thinking of something like the product "Goo" but then realized that rubber boots call for contact cement, which I have handy.Any opinions here?

Don't think this will work. Try making a patch from a piece of soft rubber like part of an old bicycle tire tube.

[curls00]

You can try your cement solution. But I have a hard buying the fact that your cars balljoint only comes as a whole control arm assembly. Contact Carquest and see if they can get you one, shouldn't cost more than $70. Of course if you did this then you'd need to have a shop press out the old ball joint and press in the new one, or maybe you can rent a press kit from PA or CT.

I tried 6 different sources, and my contact at Mazda parts. It's a complete control arm, no other option.

[scrim]

use a tire patch kit, it will come with the proper rubber cement and patch...just cut it down.... or if its too thick use a bicycle tube repair kit....

should work well as long as the area is cleaned up before applying.

[kmltick]

Rockauto carries the lower control arm for around $75 USD but then you would need to get it shipped.