Spartan Ball Joints - How to tell if they are dangerous

[meddiver]

I spoke with Spartan and they advised to lube them. They also advised that they have never had any break. My EVT (emergency vehicle technician) advised that my ball joints needed to be replaced. All of the covers are gone and they are dry. he greased them up for me. I have them scheduled to be replaced next week in Phoenix at $4000.00, ow that hurts. I lubed them up yesterday and the creaking and popping went away. I would like to get replacement with zerks, but alas I cannot. per the company replacing them Spartan ball joints are all that can go in. I will be getting some protectant for the covers as soon as they are replaced. Thank you all for your input.

[JohnRR]

Wow that's a heap of cash, I never would have thought that.

[JC2]

Originally Posted by FormerBoater

Whatever you do, go to a marine supply store and get a can of Boeshield T-9.

This is a lubricant developed by Boeing that has excellent wicking properties and will lubricate your ball joints and stop the noise that you are experiencing now.

Spray the upper and lower liberally.

You may have to go to Amazon or some other online vendor to get this product as you are in a landlocked state.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[JC2]

Originally Posted by meddiver

I spoke with Spartan and they advised to lube them. They also advised that they have never had any break. My EVT (emergency vehicle technician) advised that my ball joints needed to be replaced. All of the covers are gone and they are dry. he greased them up for me. I have them scheduled to be replaced next week in Phoenix at $4000.00, ow that hurts. I lubed them up yesterday and the creaking and popping went away. I would like to get replacement with zerks, but alas I cannot. per the company replacing them Spartan ball joints are all that can go in. I will be getting some protectant for the covers as soon as they are replaced. Thank you all for your input.

Ours were replaced about (2) years ago by Cummins-Onan (an authorized Spartan service center) in the Kansas City area. The pricing for replacement and a front end alignment should be in the $2500-$3000 range. $4000 is waaaaay out of line.

[Ray,IN]

A couple years ago one member had his ball joints replaced at the Spartan factory for $2,000. Of course you must be within a days drive or it wouldn't save much, but they do have authorized service centers nationwide.

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by meddiver

I spoke with Spartan and they advised to lube them. They also advised that they have never had any break. My EVT (emergency vehicle technician) advised that my ball joints needed to be replaced. All of the covers are gone and they are dry. he greased them up for me. I have them scheduled to be replaced next week in Phoenix at $4000.00, ow that hurts. I lubed them up yesterday and the creaking and popping went away. I would like to get replacement with zerks, but alas I cannot. per the company replacing them Spartan ball joints are all that can go in. I will be getting some protectant for the covers as soon as they are replaced. Thank you all for your input.

I had mine replaced a couple of years ago. Prior to, I spoke to Spartan and they quoted me $2000 which included an alignment if required. Since I live in Canada, I had a local Spartan Authorized shop do them and they charged me $3000 CDN.
So, my point is, your EVT is pretty expensive. If I were you, I'd do a little searching.

[JC2]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

A couple years ago one member had his ball joints replaced at the Spartan factory for $2,000. Of course you must be within a days drive or it wouldn't save much, but they do have authorized service centers nationwide.

Ray,

Thank you for that very informative reference link. Should be very useful for us owners of Spartan chassis. Maybe 007 would consider placing it in his online "hot diggity" list if it isn't already there.

[meddiver]

I am having them replaced at East Valley RV in Apache Junction . They were the only ones on the west of the Mississippi that could g et me in. The Freightliner dealer in Phoenix quoted over $ 5000.00

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by meddiver

I am having them replaced at East Valley RV in Apache Junction . They were the only ones on the west of the Mississippi that could g et me in. The Freightliner dealer in Phoenix quoted over $ 5000.00

Keep in mind, any HDT service center can replace ball joints, doesn't have to be a MH place. Fire trucks built on a Spartan chassis have ball joints too, they use HDT service centers.

[neilking]

Aguire paint and body in Buda TX quoted me 8 or 9 thousand dollars. I ended up buying the ball joints from Spartan, and getting the special tool from Reyco Granning. Took it to Atlas springs in Austin. Cost around $2k all together.

[mackwrench]

Originally Posted by neilking

Aguire paint and body in Buda TX quoted me 8 or 9 thousand dollars. I ended up buying the ball joints from Spartan, and getting the special tool from Reyco Granning. Took it to Atlas springs in Austin. Cost around $2k all together.

Do you have a mfg. or part number of the tool? Or a pic of it?

[neilking]

Had to send it back. It was custom machined. Pretty cool tool. Free loan of tool just pay shipping.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by mackwrench

Do you have a mfg. or part number of the tool? Or a pic of it?

Several auto-parts stores loan tools. If they don't have it, they buy one then loan it to you. Of course your CC is charged the full purchase price, you get a refund upon return. Don't know if they would spring for this tool though.

[JohnInAz]

Have you checked with Massey diesel in phoenix? They work on spartan chassis and RVs