Ball Joints at front axle

[The German]

Today I checked my front axle and I found that 2 of the 4 ball joints are torn open so that grease came out. I looked into the service manual but could not find out whether this is a reason for a replace of those ball joints.
Is there anyone who knows it : the seal of these 2 ball joints is torn open so grease came out, is it necessary to replace them now ? Or is it possible to drive the car with the old ball joints when often pressing some new grease into them?

To enable everyone reading this thread to understand the discussion I posted pictures of the ball joints and of the front axle.

Thanks for your help in advance !
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Rolf

[Robroy]

I think you should replace them but it is probably not urgent to do so as long as you keep them greased and don’t drive so much.
I would guess these parts might be same on all rear wheel driven full size GM cars 1971-1975? if so the parts probably come cheap...

Hopefully some one else on the board knows more than I about this...:user:

[gr_speedy]

Take a pry bar and wedge it between the parts that are connected with the balljoint and see if the ball joint is moving. If yes replace, if not just replace the rubber boots.

[The German]

Take a pry bar and wedge it between the parts that are connected with the balljoint and see if the ball joint is moving. If yes replace, if not just replace the rubber boots.

Thanks for your information! I tested the ball joints and found that they don´t move easily. But the rubber at 2 ball joints have a hole of nealy 1" in length. Is it possible only to replace these rubbers ? Thought the ball joint with rubber seal is one part that has to be replaced total or not - but not only the rubber; if you know another possibility it would be very nice of you posting more detailed information about how to do it here, because there is no information regarding such a "rubber boot replacement" of ball joints given in the service manual ! :rooleyes2: I guess that would be interesting for all of us. Perhaps you know where to buy the needed rubber also ?
Thanks in advance !

And Per, now I guess it´s not urgent to do replace the ball joints imediately because they are still not moving ; so initially I´ll keep them greased and perhaps "gr_speedy" will tell us how to replace the "rubber boots".- Thanks for your thoughts !

All further ideas regarding that problem are appreciated !!
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Rolf

[gr_speedy]

Hi,
there many places where you can buy them here in USA there are avaiable in almost every auto parts stores. Lot of times people don't know about them but they are available. Here is an example:http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/tierboots.html
There are other sites that have them much cheaper. In my opinion i would drive them as they are (just keep them lubed) and replace them later for good. I say this because by the time you disconnect the ball joints to replace the rubber you might as well change the ball joint complete. But that's just my opinion.

[The German]

... In my opinion i would drive them as they are (just keep them lubed) and replace them later for good. I say this because by the time you disconnect the ball joints to replace the rubber you might as well change the ball joint complete. But that's just my opinion.

Thanks for your quick answer ! :xyxthumbs: I´ll do so : I just ordered them to have them here and I´ll replace them complete when they are really bad. Thought first it would be much easier only to replace the rubber ... !
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Rolf