Both lower ball joints, PLEASE ADVICE

[joelverlaan]

Hi,

The dutch bongo (funny story below) needs 2 new lower ball joints to make it through the MOT.

Funny sidestory; for 6 years i thought i had the only dutch bongo, but 2 weeks ago a bongo 2.5 diesel 4x4 popped up on Marktplaats!
Tempted to buy my 2nd one, just to show off..

Back to the lower ball joints.
The dust covers on both are repaired a couple of times (glued), but now the dust covers are so bad they need to be replaced.
Ball joints themself are still fine.

A couple of repair options:
1. replace 2x dust covers with original dust covers (partnr. S10H34551) +/- €50,- incl. shipping ex labour
2. replace 2x ball joints with new ones +-/€60,- but more work.
But i've head some stories that the lower wishbone was never intented to have the ball joint replaced
3. replace 2x wishbones incl. ball joints (all new) €240,- (ebay) but everything is fresh (genuine parts)
4. replace 2x wishbones incl. ball joints (both used) €150,-
4. replace 2x wishbones incl. ball joints (new ball joints) €200,-

The rest of the MOT was super-duper easy, so i'm happy!

Please advise!

[Doone]

If your ball joints are OK, just replace the covers.
If they're not OK, replace them with new wish bones. Buy them from a reputable dealer as some are not such good quality.