Are these track rod end ball joints still ok to use?

[daverclasper]

Hi. So after undoing the track rods from the above, on each side (to replace the steering rack gaiters) the rubber band things at the top and bottom of the joint boot, that seal it, disintegrated, so haven't been doing their job . This has allowed water etc into the joint and under the boots, it was dry, rusty coloured old grease .

The joint boots/seals still seem ok. I have cleaned the actual ball joints up, re-greased them and resealed the boots, top and bottom with wire, twisted to secure.

Is this an ok repair (rather than replacement?, which I don't mind doing)

Thanks, Dave

[trigolf]

A lot of replacement track rod ends come with boots sealed with a spring steel ring affair,even on modern cars. So, I can't think that your repair would fail an MOT, unless the inspector is VERY unreasonable!

[Mjit]

CAN you reuse them - yes.

SHOULD you reuse them - not in my opinion, no.  They are a serice part that's expected to fail/need replacement and only ~£9 a pop - and much like a clutch normally worth just replacing while you're there rather than having to strip everything down again in 12 months time to replace one.