Help with Upper Ball Joints
 

So I just did a lot. 1998 blazer 4x4. I cracked the front differential putting in the wrong axle (thanks Autozone and my dumb @$$ for not comparing parts) so I put in whole new front end, new tie-rods all around, new (junkyard) differential, new ujoints (all 3), ball joints (all 4 front), one new wheel hub, and new cv axles.

As I put everything together, I realized the upper passenger ball joint had a split in the boot. Figuring it was just defective, I pulled it back off, and went and swapped it out for a new one. I put the new one on and it seemed fine. Now my driver side upper ball joint boot has a split in it.

When I got the ball joints, there are 2 pieces, a metal sheath with the boot in it, and the ball joint itself that fits inside of it. I read different forums about whether the new ball joint goes on top or underneath the control arm. I filed down the inside of the hole on the control arm a little and squeezed the whole ball joint contraption down through the top. Is this where I went wrong? I do not think where I filed the control arm is cutting the boot, more like the pressure of the boot being forced between the balljoint and the metal cuppy thing. Should the ball joint have been completely under the control arm? It did not seem like the grease would stay in if I split the ball joint and put part of it on top of the control arm and the other part underneath, but it did cross my mind.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, I will try to post pictures later.

if i remember right, everything goes under the arm.

The ball joint is designed to be installed from the top of the arm. It should not be to hard to put it throught the arm either iirc. Search "ball joint flip" and you will find info about mounting it on the underside of the arm. It it is really being that hard to get through without tearing the boot just remove the boot, install, the joint, and reinstall the boot. I don't remember there being any reason this can't be done.

you know its funny that you mentioned the filing the hole that the ball joint fits in i had to do the same thing when i replace the factory one for aftermarked upper ball joints, and i do remember that metal shield thingy
not really sure whats thats for but installed it any way.. boy the memories

I'm dumb I just left work where I have my factory upper arms with the ball joints still in them I could have looked at dohhh!!!!

Well we returned the split one to autozone and my wife put on the new one. Perhaps she is more gentle (it is her truck). I just don't like how much of the boot is up in the metal thing, but it doesn;t want to come down and seems pressed in there.

this is the re-done job...where the boot split on the last one is right where it comes out of the metal cup, I felt it and it is frickin sharp! I will try uploading the before pictures later

Here are the pictures. You can see where it split, and how much of boot stays in the cup. I don't like it....but new one seems to be holding so far

mostly all new parts in this picture, save control arms and the beast herself.

btw, i hope you bought moogs or other quality parts, cheap balljoints and bearings lasted 3-4 months on my truck...