09 RTX SE Ball Joints

[SRXSRULE2]

Finding lots of little things wrong with this sled and I haven't ridden it! However I like to keep everything in tip top shape for when I'm a long way from home.

Anyways while installing my oilite bushing kit i noticed the left side lower ball joint was loose, right side seamed fine. Went to the dealer yesterday to get some stuff, got the ball joint. I removed the circlip/ snap ring. I was expecting to have to press out the ball joint and it practically fell out! I put the new one in the arm (falls in) and installed the circlip. Well the joint itself is tight however the outer race of the joint moves a lot in the a-arm itself. I can see it has got into the spindle some as well so it must have been like this for some time. Is there a way I can fix this? Or am I looking for a new lower arm?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[sorenson1610]

I think it wobbled out the arm the way you explain it. The stock joints are pressed and they should be tight in there. So I think you might be looking for a new arm unfortunately.......do you have a picture?

 

[SRXSRULE2]

I had been reading that they were pressed in, brought home my ball joint press prepared to do so. I honestly took off the snap ring, pulled the ball joint out with my fingers. The arm is still on the sled. Ill remove it again to take a picture but I'm thinking I'm needing a new arm. It will be tomorrow until I can get a good picture. The play seams to be up and down in parallel axis with the bolt. For example if I put the joint it, install the snap ring I can grab the joint and move it up and down in the control arm.

 

[cannondale27]

Find some shim material and make it fit tight by wrapping it around the outer race.It wont take much and you dont want it too tight or it will distort the outer race of bearing leading to early failure.

 

[SRXSRULE2]

I'm still working on trying to find some shims, found some today but ended up being to big. In the mean time I phoned my dealer today, $335 plus tax for the left lower control arm. Then I got to thinking by the time i spend that money, I could spend double that and go with the Skinz light weight front end...

So my question is, does anyone have a Left lower control arm, preferably blue, kicking around that they wish to sell? I can't see spending near $500 on the control arm if i may change the whole front end next year. My other question is, will the kit work with Fox Float X shocks?

Ive got to get my but in gear, it was snowing today!

 

[cannondale27]

You will need to cut the shim material yourself with a scissors.It comes in sheets.Heck you could even use things such as tin foil or a aluminum can.

 

[SRXSRULE2]

What I had found was shims for transmission end play, but I'd be there grinding and cutting for a while to make them work.

I had a good look at it, even the snap ring groove is all messed up. Its going to need a new arm, I'm not taking a chance of having it break hours from home only to be humiliated by my ski-doo riding friends. Looked in the classifieds, was a set for sale but they sold.

 

[SRXSRULE2]

Well i tried the pop can trick and it was tighter but I still wasn't happy. I gave it to a guy I know at a machine shop. He sleeved the arm for me and installed the ball joint. Its a little tight but with a little bit of riding I think it'll be fine. The snap ring still doesn't fit well but if I can get the season out of it I'll be happy.

 

[Beenba]

Was yours the sled that was sitting for sale out front of the AutoPro? Drove by there in the summer and saw a blue nytro for sale sitting there. Looks nice!

 

[SRXSRULE2]

If its the autopro I'm thinking of no but I did see that sled last year never knew it was for sale. Last I saw there was an apex xtx out front.

 

[Beenba]

Ah, your right it might have been a few years ago I saw it.
The AutoPro I was thinking about is the one on the corner of 9th and main.

 

[toyota4runner]

Complete lower control arms brand new are low 200's if you order them from an online dealer like yamaha parts house. 212 bucks I think, and that includes the ball joint so you could use your other new one on the other side. Powersports 1 yamaha just had a good sale too. Its too bad canadian mark up is so bad

 

[SRXSRULE2]

Complete lower control arms brand new are low 200's if you order them from an online dealer like yamaha parts house. 212 bucks I think, and that includes the ball joint so you could use your other new one on the other side. Powersports 1 yamaha just had a good sale too. Its too bad canadian mark up is so bad

I thought about this as well and yes our markup is insane. I try my best to support the local dealer but it can't always be done. The money I saved will go towards other things like a 136 extension.