OK cleaned it all up.  But, getting something around the boot is not easy.  I sort of gave up.  Now rethinking and will try another approach. 
        Rescue tape looks like it would be hard to get around.  I might be able to zip tie a piece of old inner tube around the bad boot to try to keep some crud out until future repair.

Eric Caron 

> On Jul 2, 2023, at 11:30 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Wow! 
> 
> Now that is some real world experience.
> 
> This makes me want to at least try to clean it up and seal it before the future repair. 
> 
> Friend has offered to replace the boot so I still have some thinking to do on this repair.
> 
> Eric Caron 
> 
>> On Jul 2, 2023, at 11:00 PM, poppie.jagersand@yahoo.ca wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> The balljoint boot on my '82 developed a crack at the outer fold. I injected some grease and taped it up with self-vulcanizing rubber tape. That was about 1995 (reported to this list in an early post). Still tight, though I have to occasionally replace the tape. 
>> 
>> Martin
>> On Monday, June 26, 2023, 3:07:48 p.m. MDT, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Question on lower  ball joint boot.
>> 
>>        My 84  has a ripped lower ball joint boot.  I’m wondering if I can replace it and try to save and just clean and re grease the lower ball joint. 
>> 
>> Or, do I have to replace the ball joint?
>> 
>> My thinking is I might be able to do the boot myself, but likely not the lower joint.  And, I’d like to keep the German ball joint rather than a replacement.
>> 
>> Thoughts on the idea of fixing the boot? 
>> 
>> And description of the job would be greatly appreciated.  
>> For new listers, I’m blind so video’s or pictures don’t help.  I need a verbal description.
>> 
>> Also, source for quality boots appreciated. 
>> 
>> I’m thinking I would replace both sides as the other is intact but I suspect ready to fail. 
>> 
>> Eric Caron 
>> 84 Vanagon.
>> 
>>