Questions for Spartan

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by JonBrazel

Cat,


I've been told the issue is isolated to the 12-13K IFS up until about 2004. One exception is the 1260AR (12,600 lb) used up until about 09.

Thanks,

Jon

That's what I was told also by Spartan when I was working with them to cure the harsh ride on our DSDP after the front axle change.
BTW: your (Jon's that is) front end man complimented me on how well the grease jobs I was doing were working. Told me that whoever was doing the grease jobs was doing a good job and I should keep going there. That was before he knew I did my own work.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by JonBrazel

Yes it would be safe to assume yours could potentially have issues with the boots. The best thing I can think of doing is to grease them regularly and keep the boots clean. Maybe even apply a light amount of oil to the outside of the boot to keep it pliable.

Won't the oil deteriorate the rubber and make it fail sooner?

[Brazel's RV Performance]

You know what D, your probably right....didn't think about that! Doh!

[Jack1234]

Originally Posted by JonBrazel

@Jack:
Front Axle info – Tuthill Granning IFS1200S2 with a 12,000 rating

We have this Fr. Axle on our 04 Spartan MM and I recently had the boots examined to determine the extent of possible wear. As expected the rubber protective boots are showing wear and deterioration, but the ball joints are still fine.

As for proactive action ....short of tearing apart the front end and replacing the ball joints & rubber boots....these joints are rather hard to keep well greased, since they do not have built-in grease jerks! After much discussion with the service tech and the Spartan shop they agreed that perhaps it would be possible to inject grease into the ball joints via a "needle".

This is possible and a much better solution than replacing perfectly good ball joints....of course they will need to be monitored closely and regularly grease....and will ultimately fail.....BUT... If you can get a couple more years outta this less than perfect set-up....why not?

[DAJO]

Thats exactly what I would have done if we were not going to Alaska this summer.

Dave

[Jack1234]

Does anyone know "what" the rubber boots actually do?

1) Do they fully seal the ball joints or do they just provide a first defense? Are they not starting to deteriorate the minute you drive off the lot?

2) Is the grease actually more important as a protection than the boot?

3) Can you purchase the rubber boots without buying new ball joints or do they come as package? Would it even be worth just changing for new boots or once you have everything apart is it just as easy and about time you replace the ball joints?

4) How long can I really expect to avoid replacing the ball joints once the boots start to wear....even with regular greasing?