Hi, bought a used 2001 GMC 3500. On drivers side the upper ball joing grease boot is ruptured in one spot! How can this be fixed? Can it be repaired in place ! Does it take a special tool, special technique ? Im loseing the grease and really need to do something with it. Thanks for yur help ! Dan

Not much you can do except keep it greased as usual. You can't replace
the upper ball joint as it is. You have to replace the entire control
arm. It comes as an assy.

Duct tape.

Anybody know the part number for the passenger side upper control arm. I noticed my boot is ruptured.

Just keep it greased. Replacement of a control arm for a torn ball joint boot is a bit overkill (and a waste of $$). Grease regularly and when you do check the ball joints for play. If you got excessive play THEN replace.

If it's just a little ripped from overgreasing then don't worry about it it happens all the time. Just grease it reguarly and put just enuf grease till it start's puking out again, then wipe off the excess.

If the boot is sliced open like from a razor blade or torn some other way from working around the front end, then that could be a cause for concern.

you can't just replace the boot if you take it out? i know on atv's you can just replace the boot.

if i were you i would replace it, it will be cheaper than replacing the entire shaft or joint

What about cleaning it up good and a little rubber cement better than duct tape.

Not much you can do except keep it greased as usual. You can't replace
the upper ball joint as it is. You have to replace the entire control
arm. It comes as an assy.You got to be fCensoredg kidding me! First I find out that the front hub bearings are non-servicable and you have to replace the entire hub, now I find out the same of the upper control arm. WTF is GM thinking? People are going to catch on about how much it takes to repair these trucks and it's going to put a bad taste in their mouths! -:t I wonder what else is on the truck that is built like that? Next thing ya know you'll have to replace the entire rear axle when the wheel bearings need replacement! :lol: Good thing I work for GM and get a parts discount!

A little RTV and I hope it holds. I'm not going to put any extra grease in the fitting until I'm sure the RTV has cured for a few days. Maybe this will work!?

I think mine is as well, noticed grayish grease all over the control arm and on the wheel hub, it's splattered like it ruptured while I was driving. I can't find any cuts or rips.Have to look again tomorrow? I did just recently bend that tie rod Probably did it then huh?

Not much you can do except keep it greased as usual. You can't replace
the upper ball joint as it is. You have to replace the entire control
arm. It comes as an assy.

You sure about that? newgmparts.com said they could get me just the upper and lower ball joints...

I work at a local high school. So I have access to our automotive classes and equipment. We ordered my upper ball joint from Napa today. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

You sure about that? newgmparts.com said they could get me just the upper and lower ball joints...
I looked for my truck (2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD) and it only had the upper control arm. The upper ball joint was for a 1500 and you can't buy it because there isn't a price for it.

I just looked on gmpartsdirect.com and they don't list a part number for the upper ball joint.. Only the lower.. Strange though because in the picture it shows the upper ball joint as a seperate part from the control arm.

I told him about the control arm having to be replaced, but he thinks he can do it. I hope he can. I'd hate to be without my truck for a day or two while they locate me a control arm.

I had one blow on my 03 2500HD, and the dealer replaced the whole control arm under warranty because an upper ball joint was not available separately.

Hmm. newgmparts said to me that they simply needed the last 6 of my VIN to be able to get just the ball joint itself. It's a PITA to find stuff on their site however, navigating the parts menu can be interesting.. stuff isn't where you would think it would be.

Had my upper ball joint replaced today. The new one was pressed in without a problem. I wish I had gotten the part number from the box before it hit the trash. I'll let you guys know how it holds up. Took about an hour to do the whole job. Going for an alignment in the morning.

anybody think of just replacing with the cognito a-arms, ball joints are bolt-ons. dont know what the price is for stock replacements, i know the cognitos are $475, just wondering about the difference in money