SPI Ball Joints or OEM Yamaha?

[tomseal6]

5,700 miles on my 2009 fx nytro rtx. I think it's time for ball joints.

Anybody have any luck with the SPI upper and lower ball joints that are much cheaper or do I absolutely need oem?

 

[Gone Blue]

I tried the SPI joints for both upper and lower. The lower ones lasted 800 miles before they developed a bunch of play. Swapped them out for OEM. The upper ones seem to be hanging in there after 2,000 ish miles. G.B.

 

[tomseal6]

Ok thanks. I'll order from Port Yamaha.

Would you guess they need replacing at 5,700 miles?

 

[Gone Blue]

My 08' had 6,000 miles on it when I bought it. It was super super clean and didn't look abused. However I cant imagine anyone riding it on a trail it had so much play in the ball joints, A-arm bushings, ski spindle bushings, and egged out subframe steering pivot. So yes, at 5,700 miles I would imagine the ball joints and the other components I saw with mine could stand to be replaced? G.B.

 

[Gone Blue]

Oh in case you are not aware and depending on what type of lower ball joint that is on your sled, Yamaha changed the design. The original style ball joint had the spacers as part of the ball. The newer style ball joint just has a ball and it uses (2) loose spacers that gives you the same overall height and look as the original. I only mention this as if your sled does not have the newer style ball joints with the spacers, you will need to order those separate from Yamaha to use with either the SPI or OEM ball joint. G.B.

Original style

New style

 

[tomseal6]

Is the fische updated?

 

[Gone Blue]

No, I don't think that it is. Just look up the ball joint off a 2014 Nytro and you should be good. If you need the spacers they are #28 and you will need to order (4) of them.

 

[tomseal6]

egged out subframe steering pivot is news to me on a wear item. It really sounds like we have the same sled same miles although I am the original owner.

Do you have part #s and or fische for this? And thank you so much for all the help!

 

[Gone Blue]

Go to www.portyamaha.com. I use their micro fische and order most of my parts thru them. If I cant figure something out, Kevin in their parts department is awesome and Port Yamaha is a big sponsor of this Forum. G.B.

 

[tomseal6]

I'm going to be having a dealer do the work. They also have to replace the exhaust donuts with the copper donuts I'm supplying. I'm giving them all the parts they need.

Were your exhaust donuts shot too?

 

[grizztracks]

If you go with the newer 3 piece ball joint you'll need: 2 ball joints, 4 spacers and 4 washers. I believe the washer thickness changed when Yamaha made the ball joint update. The new washer part# is 90201-10052-00.

If you keep the ball joints lubed with a dry spray lubricant they last a long time. I use a DuPont silicon with Teflon spray.