Front balljoint wear.

[Captain Beaky]

Just doing the tappets on my 1150, and noticed a "Clunk" from the front suspension as I put the bike on the centrestand.

Investigated, and found that the front balljoint has play in it - Doesn't look badly worn or anything, just seems have a little up/down play in it.

Actually swivels nice and smoothly. Just this strange play in between suspension load / droop when on the stand.

Anyone seen this?

M.

 

[Guzzler]

Not sure exactly, but close. Not the ball joint itself, but the nut that is used to secure the leading link to the ball joint.

Make sure that nut is properly torqued, and has the proper thread lock. It isn't easy to do it. It has a high torque value (130 Nm). And it takes a hex wrench and a modified socket to do it right.

It might be easier to take it to a shop and have them retorque it properly.

 

[Captain Beaky]

This isn't a tightening issue - it's most derfinitely wear in the balljoint. I am suprised how quickly it's worn.

 

[Captain Beaky]

Changin balljoint

Do you need to take the fork bridge out to change the balljoint, or can it be done in situ?

Anyone done this before?

Ta,

Mike.

 

[Guzzler]

Ok, so it is the actual ball joint.

To take it out and replace it, you HAVE to remove the slider tube bridge. Don't try it while still on the bike, that ball joint is REALLY torqued on the fork bridge (230 Nm). Oddly, there isn't any liquid lock tite on the threads, just some anti-seeze.

To top it off, you need a 46mm DEEP wall impact socket to get it off. I tried to find one here in the states, but couldn't find one. You might have better luck, in the land of metric.

Also, you really need a retention fixture (BMW part # 31 5 630) to hold the slider tube bridge while loosening or tightening the ball joint. Trying to mount the bridge in a vise and not marr it was like trying to herd cats. Damn near impossible.

I tried for 3 days to get the ball joint off the slider tube bridge for my bike. I finally gave up and just took the bridge to a dealer to have them remove and reinstall the ball joint.

This might be cheapest/easiest way for you.

Personally, I have to say that that part is THE most difficult part to work with on the entire bike.

Oh, I am really suprised that is has worn out, too.

 

[Captain Beaky]

Thanks for the heads up on how to change it.

I'd have had a crack at it on the bike, but if you had that much trouble, then it's worth getting BMW to do it.

The Damndest thing is that I've only just put the thing back together!!

On closer inspection, the fork bridge has gone through the powder coat ovens with the ball joint in place!!!!!

I am assuming a nylon or similar backing pad to the balljoint.
So there we have the cause.

This was done by Profile 7000.

Pity, cos they did a sterling job on the wheels and other bits....

Mike.

 

[Guzzler]

I really don't thing that it was powder coated with the ball joint in place. It would be a real bitch to do so. I think you are seeing some of the anti-seeze.

Sorry to hear that you just put things back together to just notice this. But don't feel bad, I do it all the time.

Since you've already had your hands in there, just go ahead and pull the slider tube bridge and take it to the dealer, instead of taking the entire bike. The labor costs to get the bridge off isn't worth it. Just pay for the 20 minutes it takes them to take on and off the ball joint, not the 4 hours to take apart the front end. Unless you really don't want to mess the torque on the nut on top of the leading link. Then take it all to the dealer.

Also, there is no nylon backing in the ball joint, just metal and a bunch of grease.

 

[Captain Beaky]

The powdercoaters failed to remove the balljoint when they powdercoated the fork bridge for me!!!!

 

[Guzzler]

The powdercoaters failed to remove the balljoint when they powdercoated the fork bridge for me!!!!

Doh!!!!!!!!!

Now that makes perfect sense.

Have fun trying to breaking the powder coat at the joint without cracking/chipping it.

 

[Captain Beaky]

That's the powdercoater's concern....

 

[ELIMINATOR]

I can hear mine making a slight creaking type noise. On the mainstand there is no play. Probably just another GS item to fret about