[Harry]

Congratulations! Great! Wonderful!

If the boot is the same one I’m thinking of, back in January of 2015 we needed two boots when we were at Prevost Jacksonville. If I recall correctly, they had one in stock, had to order the other, didn’t come on the day we were leaving, so I think they sent it to me and I had ETLC install it later.

I was awfully surprised that something as small (easy to keep in inventory without using a million cubic feet of wharehouse space) and what I thought be a regularly replaced part would EVER be out of stock at any Prevost service facility.

[Andre]

Do an internet search. Replacing them requires you to get beneath the coach and if you have a pickling fork you can easily separate the ball joint from the mating part.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ball+joint+dust+cover&rlz=1C1CHMO_enUS571US571&oq=ball+joint+dust&aqs=chrome.2j69i57j0l4.12009j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[Archived]

Yes, I agree. The boot is simple, rubber(perishable) and cheep to inventory. Retail cost is $26…go figure. I will try the search. Thanks for being so quick to respond. I’ve got the luck to test the new rig during the hi stress of summer temps. I’ll be happy when back to Maine by the first of September.

My best,

Bob

[Chas]

I would bet the reasons the dust boots are not stocked are simple.

First, very few coach owners have ever even been beneath their coach and therefore are unaware of the condition of the boots, and in a lot of cases may not even care.

Second, the guy who greases coaches is also the guy who causes the failure of the boots. When greasing a fitting the slightest movement or indication grease has entered the joint is cause to stop pumping. But I am not sure the low man on the totem pole who is greasing the coach has never been trained to understand that so he keeps on pumping until he has globs of grease coming out from a tear in the dust boot. To him that is his clue the fitting has grease.

[victor]

Spending a little time under the coach today, with the intent of greasing the front end.

While wiping off the mounds of old dirty grease, I discovered that most of the joints do not have a dust boot,

and those that did came off in multiple pieces in my rag.

Now what? Is it safe to still drive the coach? Can I just have the boots replaced if they are available?

Anyone know of anywhere that is capable of this work in the northeast? we will be at ETLC for the seminar

in October, can it wait till then?

[Archived]

John,

Dust boots will not impact your safety. Their purpose is to minimize the potential to get dirt or grit between the mating surfaces of a moving joint so as to minimize premature wear.

They protect and extend the life of the joint.

They will last a long time if the people that lubricate the joints do it properly. A tie rod end for example is a typical greased joint. The grease that is pumped into the fitting is literally extruded between the two moving surfaces, and then when it exits from between the surfaces it enters the dust boot. Any grease beyond what is between the two moving surfaces is captured in the boot, but it does no good once it is in there. It is not going to go back into the space between the moving parts.

So the best way to grease a joint is to pump only enough grease into the fitting to see the slightest indication it has filled between the two mating surfaces of the joint and has entered the dust boot. You can see very slight movement on the boot to know that. That is when greasing is to stop. But the guys lubing the bus often keep pumping grease until it starts to leak from the dust boot. The dust boot is not a balloon so while it may expand a few times it soon gets a crack or tear into it and from that point on its life is compromised.

People who pay for lube jobs should watch the guy doing it. They should carry a stick. When they see the grease monkey pump until grease comes out of the dust boot they should use the stick to beat the guy about the head and shoulders. Some people might consider this suggestion extreme.

[John]

Jon,

Thanks for the reply. Very disconcerting to find the front end in such shape.

I might consider coming by for a greasing lesson over your pit, if your driveway wasn’t so scary.

[John]

No need to come up my driveway with your bus. My bus is already over the pit so you can practice by greasing my bus.

Be aware in my previous post I mentioned using a stick. If you overgrease my fittings I will beat you about the head and shoulders with the stick.

Don’t forget to bring soft clean rags because I would expect you to finish the lube job by polishing my slack adjusters.

[Tim]

Thanks Jon, that’s the best offer I have had in a while.

Wish I was closer.

[Dana]

Actually, send Teri. She’s better looking than you.

BTW, all kidding aside she gave Di some great advice regarding a medicine when we were all down in Lakeland and it was excellent advice. I am sure Di will be thanking Teri next time we are together.