Well, now that there is a hole in the boot, entry of water and dirt is more likely.

Those joints used to be filled with pretty good lubricant, back in the old days when things were expected to last. Who know, you may have made them last forever now, or may have just started them on the fast slide to failure. Only time will tell.

I leave permanently sealed joints alone -- most of them will last indefinitely as long as the boot is good. It's only when the boot failes and the joint corrodes or galls that you have trouble. Ball joints and most of the steering joints on the 72's are still good.....

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!