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    checking ball joints

    Does anyone know the proper procedure of how to check the ball joints?
    my bike just past 35,000 miles and figured i should check. 2016 K1300
    just got back from a couple day trip to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
    this bike is rock solid going down the highway, but i noticed coming home when going through small towns at slow speeds the bike was wandering, i did notice the front tire had become quite cupped, i'm thinking thats the issue, for it solid once you pick up speed.
    this bike has been flawless, in fact i still have the original battery in it from when i purchased February 2017😳

    #2
    If I remember right, put the bike on the centerstand, have someone sit on the bike to raise the front wheel, then push-pull on the wheel checking for play.
    You might also feel a little clunk.
    Ball joints were replaced on Deb's K1300S at 33,000 miles and mine were replace at 48,000 miles.

    Labor was 4.9 hours on one bike and 4.5 hours on the other bike.
    Last edited by Lee; 07-19-2023, 09:45 AM.
    Lee
    Iowa
    2022 R1250RS White Sport

    Comment


      #3
      thank you Lee, ill check into that, i wasn't sure if that would work or not with the shock still installed, i thought maybe that would still put pressure on the joints. i was thinking need to take all the pressure off so the joints are free🤔🤷🏼*♂️

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        #4
        On a car, you lift the wheel off of the ground and using a bar under the tire, you try to lift the wheel and check fo free play or noise.

        Comment


          #5
          Your wondering bike at slow speed is a classic symptom of worn ball joints. I've been there three times. Your 35K miles is classic. I called my dealer from a road trip at 34000 miles and complained that I was in need of warranty work when I got home. I tripped over the miles limit and they refused to honor my call. Your symptoms will just get worse as miles pile up. Can't hold corners etc. . The easy way to change them is remove the front fork (wheel carrier). There are tools on the internet. One is 55mm the other 50 mm to remove them. Takes about 5 hours, longer if first time. There is also careful procedures to secure the bolts that hold the scissor linkage. If your not into deep moto wrenching I suggest you find a shop to do it. The ball joints cost about $200 apiece, then there is the labor. Look in some of the European parts houses. Here is one:
          https://www.motorworks.co.uk/?find=k...--08-2015--136
          I have bought ball joints from them. Another official bmw site is:
          https://bmw.europe-moto.com/gb/
          It's a tough job do some research. I have a special vice to hold the wheel carrier while I work on the large torque value ball joints. And remember when you get to it the Acorn nuts that lock the ball joint to the A arms require a high torque, too high for the 7mm hex hole you hold them from spinning. Go about 20% less or when you feel metal start giving. You will know what I'm talking about when you get there. And heat up the thread area to destroy the loctite when removing the the ball joints.
          With 3 K bikes in the garage, I keep a stash of ball joints in my parts.
          If you lived in the Pacific North West I'd do the job for you for $250 plus parts. But a dealer is going to charge you about 750 plus parts. Do it though. The bike is a keeper. Maybe you know an independent shop?
          Last edited by beech; 07-20-2023, 10:56 PM.

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            #6
            thanks Beech, i was waiting for you to chime in🤣
            no job is really to big for me, i was a certified mechanic years ago, not many things go to repair house over my years. ill look further into this over the winter, ill start getting the materials ready. i was reading up on heating the housing , i guess some have actually cracked to housing in removing the joints😳
            Last edited by RS530; 07-21-2023, 06:31 AM.

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            • 802Mike
              802Mike commented
              Editing a comment
              Youtube mechanic !! 🤣

            #7
            not me my friend, although there is some valuable information on youtube 🤔
            have to be smart enough to know better🤔🙄🙄🙄

            Comment


            #8
            thank you my friend, i did see that one🤘
            job really dont look that bad to do🤔

            Comment


            • 802Mike
              802Mike commented
              Editing a comment
              I think his method has room for improvement. I think he mentioned
              that it is a project bike so he didn't mind some scratches and dings
              in the paint.
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