Ball joint covers
 

Does anyone know where to get ball joint covers. I need those little rubber covers because all of mine are warn out and cracking. I also need these for the joints on the steering arms, etc. Can anyone help me out?

Lots of auto parts stores have rubber boots in various sizes
 

to fit most suspension applications on almost all brands of cars. In the VA area they are often on a rotating display rack under the logo of a brand called "HELP!".

If the ball joint boots are torn, then grease could have leaked out and/or dirt could have gotten in.

Either way, I would first make sure that the ball joints are still structurally sound before I would be looking in to just replacing the boot (which I don't know whether or not is sold seperately).

You may have to replace the ball joints.

Just a suggestion:

For the labor involved in replacing a boot on the suspension balljoints, you may consider just replacing the entire balljoint. They are only about $20 each, and new ones should last 100K plus. The work involved to get at these is not enough fun to repeat any time sooner.

Just boots might make sense for some of the joints in the rack, since they are easier to get at (much less labor), and somewhat more expensive to replace, depending upon which joint.

boots for joints from Dealer
 

your local MBZ Dealer has or can get replacement boots for any flexible joint on the MBZ since they often get damaged when removing the joint to get at other parts. A simple and very low cost fix lots easier than replacing the entire thing PROVIDED itis not already full of dirt at junk.

I agree with Ali. Odds are your ball joints need replaced, after being exposed to dirt and debris. Once you remove the control arm from the ball joint, you are almost there anyway. You have already compressed the spring, removed interference, (brake stuff), and done all that fun stuff.

I just did my tie rods a few months ago, and all of the labor involved to replace the boots is 95% of the labor to replace the tie rods. The whole thing, with the sleeve between the inner and outer rod end, is about $30, (for my car, from Fastlane). After you beat off the first one, you will not want to do this job again anytime soon. Replace the whole assembly, take it in and get it aligned, and forget about it for 10 years. Do only the boots, and you may be laying there again next year. Ugh!

If the joints are still tight, clean them out, re-grease them and put new boots on them. The dealer will sell them. I did it. It works.