What direction do you install the lower ball joints?

[mdkuni]

Last time I did a ball joint install I had instructions from Yamaha. The newer ball joints have markings on them and they wanted the markings facing a certain direction. I could not tell if there was any difference and did not have the instructions last night so the markings went up.

Does it really matter which way they go in?

 

[grizztracks]

As far as I know there is no directional orientation for the lower ball joints.

 

[Port-Parts]

Mark - the lower ball joints are intended to be installed with the 3 marks facing down towards the snap ring. Im not sure what can happen when installed the other way (which sounds like how you currently have them) but you may find out...u always wanted to be a durability test rider right? Lol

 

[grizztracks]

Port, do you know when they started putting the marks on the ball joint? I installed the newer 3 piece ball joints a couple of years ago in my 2008 Nytro and don't remember seeing any marks although I really wasn't looking.

 

[mdkuni]

Mark - the lower ball joints are intended to be installed with the 3 marks facing down towards the snap ring. Im not sure what can happen when installed the other way (which sounds like how you currently have them) but you may find out...u always wanted to be a durability test rider right? Lol

Of course I guessed wrong! I really can't see a difference, but obviously there must be a reason. I think I am already a test rider, I just don't get paid for it!

Something about pounding through the bumps at high speed and not knowing the reasoning for the install direction will force me to reinstall the ball joint "correctly". Thanks for the info.

 

[rrxx-1]

I think I bought this new 2010 and up ball joint in the winter of 10-11 (had them a while), went to change them out, and looked and as grizz said, mine do not have three marks on them for direction. There is no marking on the four ball joints I have here.