lower ball joints...check yours for play

[Nikolai]

I've got my front end all apart and couldn't believe all the play in the lower ball joints. One has about 3/16" of play up and down and the other about 1/4". 1,200 miles on the sled. My Rev ball joints were indestructible. I'm going to the dealer tomorrow to get some better ones. hard to believe Yamaha would put such a low quality part in such a nice sled.

Hopefully with the new lower ball joints, new skis, and the oil lite a-arm bushings I'll have a tight reliable front end.

 

[DITCHBANGER]

i was at my dealer yesterday,showed him the guts coming out of the joint,he is calling area rep to see if its warranty..btw the joints are 100 each cdn..i told him it better be warranty as yammie changed the ball joint for 09..ill find out this afternoon

 

[Vector1]

When my sled was new, it was not darting much at all, now I have about 1,500 miles on it and its really bad if I use a single bar. I wonder if mine are also worn and that causing the darting?

 

[BLUEBALLER]

i was at my dealer yesterday,showed him the guts coming out of the joint,he is calling area rep to see if its warranty..btw the joints are 100 each cdn..i told him it better be warranty as yammie changed the ball joint for 09..ill find out this afternoon

Both of mine were hooped @ 3000 km. probably alot sooner. Dealer replaced under warranty no problem.

 

[Kråkan]

Mine has about 2mm slack

 

[akdavo]

How do I check for slop? I will be installing a new spindle and a arm when they get here next week and would like to check out the joints as well. I'll be going with C&As widest ski for a a few test rides when I am up and running as well.

 

[Nikolai]

IMO, the XT's are the best skis on the market, can't wait to get mine.

The easiest way to check for balljoint slop is to unbolt the upper a-arm and tie-rod from the spindle. That way you have only the spindle to move.

 

[BLUEBALLER]

How do I check for slop? I will be installing a new spindle and a arm when they get here next week and would like to check out the joints as well. I'll be going with C&As widest ski for a a few test rides when I am up and running as well.

jack up your front end under the skidplate, grab a hold of a ski-loop and apply pressure to the back of the ski. now lift the ski up and if the lower balljoint is loose, you'll see it move up and down in the a-arm itself.

Call dealer and notify him of the sh%&y balljoints that were installed and wait for him to order you some new ones.

 

[Snoxracer242]

Mine are junk too, 700 MILES is all! Man everyday I own this thing the more and more I am beginning to dislike it. I still can't believe that Yame has second rate parts like this!

Dustin

 

[Snoxracer242]

Oh yeah wouldn't ya know, none in the warehouse?

It looks to me that there was a piece of nylon or something that busted out of mine causing the ball to be loose!

Dustin

 

[Skydog]

Well guys this does suck but so far it is just the front end of the sled.

Skydog

 

[unpride]

I have noticed play in my ball joints too which makes the spindle appear to be pushed back. If I measure it just sitting its about 1/2 an inch back but if I tug on it everything goes back right in place and stays like that. I know nothing is bent on the frame or A arms and the shock is still centered in the A-arms. I think the ball joints are just crap and are making everything appear to be off. Has anyone else noticed this? Im not ordering any parts im just going to keep riding it until something really breaks and its unrideable.

 

[BLUEBALLER]

I have noticed play in my ball joints too which makes the spindle appear to be pushed back. If I measure it just sitting its about 1/2 an inch back but if I tug on it everything goes back right in place and stays like that. I know nothing is bent on the frame or A arms and the shock is still centered in the A-arms. I think the ball joints are just crap and are making everything appear to be off. Has anyone else noticed this? Im not ordering any parts im just going to keep riding it until something really breaks and its unrideable.

that's what my dealer thought as well, but after they installed the new balljoints, the springs were STILL 1/4" different than the nytro they had on the showroom floor. so, yes they are better, but something is still tweeked.

 

[gormleyflyer2002]

is the teflon supposed to be up or down... side of the ball joint...?

 

[Snoxracer242]

is the teflon supposed to be up or down... side of the ball joint...?

I'd guess the teflon should be on the bottom, because the load on the ball joint should be on the top of it.