Upper control arm boot replacement?
 

Hi,

I have a 1980 240d

Both of my upper control arms are in great shape and are relatively (last couple of years with low miles) new. No clunking or noise in them.

The problem is that both of the boots that cover the joint that attaches to the steering knuckle are ripped apart and are starting to leak grease.

Does anyone know of a boot that I can buy to replace the torn boots without having to take everything apart?

Thanks!

This is not about buy parts there. You won't be removing the whole arm, but you can follow the pictorial on the rest.

https://www.dieselgiant.com/mercedes_upper_control_arm_repla.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=IZ6jX9PN3YI

Consider buying new cheap control arms and using the boots from them to put on your upper ball joints. Yes this requires separating the knuckle and the ball joint but that isn't a huge job.

Thanks.

The only boots I was able to find were the ones for the ball joints.

Yes but I could only find them for the lowers. I think the OP is looking for upper ball joint boots but I'm not absolutely certain.

Keep in mind, the big failure with uca are the antiswaybar mounting point bushings.
RUST will send you sprawling across the highway without stable steering control.
Inspect them closely.

You can get generic boots of all types on eBay but you need to have an idea of the dimensions you need.

I did find some boot kits, but they are expensive and most places they are out of stock.

The boot kits come with a plastic piece that goes with the small end of the boot.

I had the kit number and so on but when I attempted to post it, I managed to erase all of it and lost it.

My mistake, correct upper ball joint boots are hard or impossible to find. I've never came across them.

Exactly. I used to buy boots using the top and bottom diameters from various online vendors. My old source (Polyboots) has quit likely because of competition from elsewhere. There seem to be a lot of replacement boots offered out there at the moment.

Be careful of the kind of grease you use. I repacked my tie rods with some generic lithium grease I had on the shelf and it looks like it made the plastic bearing surface brittle. It cracked into little kibbles and left me with clunky steering.

ETA - looks like Polyboots is still in business. They make great replacement boots from tough urethane.

Thanks, good to know! Anyone knows the dimensions out of their head for the upper ball joints?

See post 28. There is a picture of a Harbor Freight tie rod tool and a measurement to modify the tool so it can be used on a upper control arm boot. However, since your boot is already damaged it may work without the mod.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/323469-lower-ball-joint-separator-w123.html