Front suspension ball joint cover replacement.

[Deleted account 210312001]

Hi there, earlier in the year I noticed that the rubber ball joint cover on the front forks had perished. I looked to the internet for the answer but nothing, I rang BMW Motorworks, only suggested to buy a complete new £150.......... so a bit more looking and I found this on eBay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Rubb...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

This is the rubber cover that comes from Italy for a little over a tenner. it came within a few days.

So this morning on a rainy/grey cumbrian morning I set to work.

Tools needed: 7mm Alan Key, 22mm open ended Spanner, very small screwdriver, cable tie, pair of pliers.

1. Put bike on the centre stand and jack up front of the bike, drop the front wheel out. remove the black cap on top of the nut.
2. place the spanner on the nut and it'll take some strength but get it to move by pulling it anti clockwise. once free put the Alan key in the top and wedge it against the forks to stop it from moving. Then use the spanner again and remove the nut, you'll notice that the forks slowly start to lower and the top of the ball joint becomes clear.
3. Remove the remains of the torn cover. there should be a black elastic band at the top, keep hold of that and a blue clip to keep the base of the cover in place.
4. Pack some grease back into the ball joint and ensure its clean. Then place the cover over the top and secure the bottom in place either with the blue circle clip or I used a cable tie. then place the rubber band around the top.
5. Push the ball joint back into the hole and nut on the top, this will draw everything back into place just ensure that you use the Alan key and spanner, black cover back on and wheel back on and off you go!

Took me about 25 minutes! and probably saved me about £140!

Hope this helps!

Should have taken pictures !


Benson

 

[Steptoe]

Hi there, earlier in the year I noticed that the rubber ball joint cover on the front forks had perished. I looked to the internet for the answer but nothing, I rang BMW Motorworks, only suggested to buy a complete new £150..........

That's odd, as Motorworks sell the front ball joint gaiter/cover. Part number SUA13911, costs £10.98.

 

[NicD]

What condition was the ball joint itself in?

 

[Bendy toy]

What condition was the ball joint itself in?

If it's run dry the ball joint might well be showing signs of trouble. Even the slightest of wear will show up at the wheel spindle. If its looking ok then fit the new gaiter and lube with gear oil - it soaks into the working area better than grease.

Personally, I would take a punt on the gaiter and gear oil it

 

[squibb34]

Sorry OP, a gallant effort, but best practice is to replace the BJ in it's entirety.

A new gaiter & a squirt of oil is a good 'get out of jail' patch but why not simply replace while you are in there? So often, once you spot a split gaiter, the damage has been done long since.

 

[Deleted account 210312001]

ah! I see ! I couldn't find it! we know for next time...... hopefully not next time!

 

[Deleted account 210312001]

thanks for the advice, I will do my next door neighbour works for a garage who does bike MOT's so I ask him and he checked it out and said it was fine. bt ill pop it off again and try the gear oil. seemed to be running smooth!

 

[Slipperyeel]

Sorry OP, a gallant effort, but best practice is to replace the BJ in it's entirety.

A new gaiter & a squirt of oil is a good 'get out of jail' patch but why not simply replace while you are in there? So often, once you spot a split gaiter, the damage has been done long since.

I think I share Sqibb34's view on that. To replace...especially for the effort to replace the gaiter, you're half way their (but I haven't forgotten that nut is mega tight!!)


Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

[NicD]

Threadlocked and approx 200Nm torque setting, so heat and leverage required. But seems sensible to me to replace the ball joint given age and damage to rubber boot

 

[Steptoe]

thanks for the advice, I will do my next door neighbour works for a garage who does bike MOT's so I ask him and he checked it out and said it was fine. bt ill pop it off again and try the gear oil. seemed to be running smooth!

You'll be ok, if your neighbour, who's a professional mechanic said it's ok, then why change it. Fitting a new gaitor is a piece of piss and very very cheap compared to the work involved in replacing a ball joint that doesn't need replacing.

Plenty of cars CV joint gaitors split and aren't picked up until MOT time, if it's ok repack with grease and fit a new gaitor.

 

[Bendy toy]

The new gaiter is cheap and easy to fit. If it fails properly you won't have wasted much time or money on the job. A 600mm breaker bar and at least 150 degs of heat should shift the old BJ. A second mortgage will buy the new one from BMW.

You should also check the Telelever pivot needle rollers. They move through a very narrow angle so soon rub themselves dry and wear.

 

[jacq]

I need help.
I damaged the retainer clip trying to fit that back in after replacing the gaiter.
I have no idea how to fit it properly. More importantly now I have no idea where to source the matching retainer clip from.
There is plenty of gaiters but they don't come with retainer clips sadly.
Any suggestions will by much appreciated (for both where to get it and how to fit it).

Below is the picture of my damaged retainer clip:

 

[Steptoe]

I need help.
I damaged the retainer clip trying to fit that back in after replacing the gaiter.
I have no idea how to fit it properly. More importantly now I have no idea where to source the matching retainer clip from.
There is plenty of gaiters but they don't come with retainer clips sadly.
Any suggestions will by much appreciated (for both where to get it and how to fit it).

Below is the picture of my damaged retainer clip:
View attachment 323960

Appropriate sized cable tie will do the job.