Ball joint dust covers.
 

Hi,

MOT went through yesterday, great news.

! new tyre needed to pass, two needed soon.

Perishing ball joint dust covers warning. It's the ball joint close to the inside / bottom of the wheel? Do I need to split the ball joint or can I just unbolt and slip a new cover on?

Cheers.

New balljoint.
You can get split boots which you glue together, but is a right faff, doesnt last long, you have to do the hardest part of changing it anyway to fit the boot, and if boot is perished, the joint is clearly a good few years old so even if it doesnt have play currently, its not got long left. For sake of £15-25 its just not worth it.

Most motor factors will sell the boots for ball joints, but best to take an old one with you to get the correct size, as they aren't always listed on their computers or in catalogues.
The way of fitting the new ones will become obvious when you get down & look at them, but if you are not familiar/experienced with suspension repairs, best leave it to someone who knows !
These are the sort of thing you need http://www.bailcast.com/ball-joint-dust-covers/

https://www.balljointboots.co.uk/index.html

I can't find the shop I got mine from.

If its the bottom ball joint then it is a pain to do. The nut will be rusted on and will refuse to come off, you'll probably need a new nut and to put a die on to re-cut the threads. The joint won't want to split, I bought a big splitter fork and hit it with a big hammer until it let go. You really want to take the wishbone off (track control arm) to make the job easier. Then you have to be able to tighten the front pivot bolt up with the weight on the wheels which is easier said than done, unless you have a ramp or inspection pit.

Then you want to reuse the bottom spring clamp as the new ones are to thick. They are a real pain and there is a knack to getting them on/off.

It's not a job to start unless you are used to dismantling cars and putting them back together!

May also be less hassle to get an new wishbone/track control arm and fit it.

Lemforder arm is currently £81 from carparts4less with discount code weekend14.