Can anyone help me regarding my torn boots and my ball joints which creak when i turn the steering wheel? I was estimated $425 to fix this but can't afford it right now. Can i continue to drive it a few more months like this or am i doing more damage. THe mechanic told me this condition is not dangerous. BTW, when i drive it during rain the creaking stops for a day or two.
Thanks for any reply.
Brett

You certainly can smear some multi purpose grease inside the ball joint boot with your finger. The ball joint won't fall of and neither will your finger.
Harvey

jeepguy,

I assume this is a Mercedes CJ7? Just kidding.

I've been through this before on a 123 wagon my wife had. The sound didn't bother me, but embarrassed her.

I forced as much grease inside the boot as I could, using Harvey's method. I then wrapped the boot in duct tape as best I could to keep the dirt out. The grease will attract dirt like a magnet, if left unprotected. The dirt will then finish off the balljoint quicker than if you were to leave it dry. I used this for a few months until I pulled together the tools and balljoints. Also, if I remember correctly, I lifted the car and let the wheel hang while I forced in the grease. This allowed the grease to get underneath the ball easier.

To save Deezel some trouble, don't get under a car that is merely hanging from a floor jack, use some jack stands under the unibody "frame rails". Always be safe when getting underneath a raised vehicle.

Best of luck with it,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles