Lower Ball Joint Boot Fitment - Moog K6023

[TxCajun]

I'm rebuilding the front suspension on my '66 C10 and I don't know if this boot is fitting correctly on the lower ball joint, Moog K6023 (see pictures). The instructions enclosed with the part don't have any verbiage or illustrations covering this.

The boot appears to have a metal ring molded integral to the lower rubber flange of the boot. The diameter of this ring prevents the boot from fitting down over the body of the ball joint.

I don't know if this is the correct way it fits, or if I need to use a Dremel tool to modify the boot slightly to increase the inner diameter so that it will slide over the body of the ball joint. (The old, existing boot was a different design so I can't compare new vs old.)

Thanks!
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[1restorick]

Installing these Moog Ball Joint Boots has never been easy. When I rebuilt my frond end, I lubed these boots up with silicone spray and used a large socket to press them in position. don't rush it because they will tear if forced too hard. And... the boot retaining ring needs to be seated completely on the ball joint, so they do need to be pressed on further.

Rick

[MT65]

Just guessing here, but the metal ring you speak of is most likely as far down as this boot has to go, it only has to seal the area that’s gonna be greasy, the lower portion has nothing to be sealed. The spindle will hold pressure on the bulb portion down which in turn holds the metal ring down…my .02

[TxCajun]

1restorick,

Thanks for the information. I had been doing some further searching and found this article on a Moog site that agrees with your comment to press on the boot.

I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Moog article: https://www.moogparts.com/technical/...all-joint.html

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[1restorick]

Best of luck. It was good to see Moog's article as well. I would only use the channel locks as a last resort. The good thing is that these boots are very high quality and will last verses some of the cheaper brands.

Rick

[TxCajun]

Well, I followed the Moog tech article and pressed the boot on to the ball joint using a suitable diameter peice of pipe and my hydraulic press while orienting the "grease relief valve" (the little notch on the bottom of the boot, see photo) positioned inward, away from the wheel/brakes.

With the boot pressed on to the body, it seems that it makes a more secure grease seal than some boot designs, and the "grease relief valve" is intended to only let excess grease exit in one location away from the brakes and for easy clean up after lubrication maintenance.
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