Spartan Ball Joint Replacement

[popmalone]

I have a 2003 Dutch Star I have found out that a lot of people have had problems with the ball joints mine have the boots rotted off. I got a price to replace them and I didn't like the price.

I have done a lot of mechanic work and think I can replace them but would like to here from anyone who has done this and what problems I might run to.

Thanks,

Neal

[wildebill308]

Welcome to the forum. Are your ball joints, tierode ends worn out? I heard of some one cleaning and greasing them and wrapping with shrink tape as a replacement to the dust covers. If they are still good I would try that first.

Actually on thinking about it I would do the tape first then grease.

Bill

[abyrd]

There are many posts on other forums on the saga of failed boots and ball joint on Spartan chassis.  Most report that special tools are not available for the do-it-yourself mechanics and replace ball joints are also prone to failure.

 

Jim

 

[rayin]

I am one who used shrink wrap in an attempt to reduce water intrusion into the MH ball joints and retain grease. I just had a total wheel alignment performed on our MH ($300), the HDT shop owner inspected all of the steering components to include testing the ball joints. He said the ball joints are good @ 44,xxx miles, and instead of wrapping them, to simply use spray silicone for lubrication. I have removed the shrink wrap, sprayed them with pure silicone. We'll see in the future___.

[wildebill308]

I would stay with the shrink wrap tape. You are trying to keep dirt and water borne grit out of the ball joints. I just can't see where the "pure silicone" will do as good of a job as the tape and EP grease.  

Bill

[obedb]

Does the Spartan Chassis have independent front suspension? If not, most things grease able up front  can be replaced without a lot of money involved. Unless you really know what you are doing, you will probably need a front end alinement done by a good shop after the installation of tie rod ends. Common wear point with a solid front axle , but on the typical motorhome that is greased at least annually with low miles per year, they really should still be in good shape. I had everything greased at a 10 to 12 thousand mile interval. When running synthetic oil with a longer change interval I greased ( or had everything greased )  at the 10,000 mile interval. Have known truckers that used a 6000 mile interval for grease. I always use what I learned as a trucker for maintenance interval. After all, most of us are riding on a Freightshaker chassis.

[wolfe10]

Yes, the defective (or "quick to fail") boots are on the IFS front suspension ball joints.

[rayin]

On 11/24/2017 at 11:11 AM, WILDEBILL308 said:

I would stay with the shrink wrap tape. You are trying to keep dirt and water borne grit out of the ball joints. I just can't see where the "pure silicone" will do as good of a job as the tape and EP grease.  

Bill

Thanks Bill, that sounds prudent. I'll grease and re-wrap them next week.