Why Are Spartan Chassis Ball Joints So Problematic?

[tommar]

OK... first off, I am deaf which means that I cannot hear these squeaks and popping noises that posters to the Spartan Chassis Forum speak of. So what to do? I have no clue if my rig is needing the joints. I also would like to know why Spartans are so prone to bad ball joints. Apparently, Spartan has been having issues with them for at least 20 years. Guess I'll take my rig to Rush Truck Ce.nter and have them lube it PDQ.

[HJLowell]

Inspection and a written report.
Replace if need be.
Good luck.

Should be inspected, lubed annually Regardless.

[Meames1]

The joints manufactured for the Reyco-Granning front suspensions used by Spartan are "non-greasable". That by itself is not really a major problem, the problem is that the rubber boots keeping the grease in and contaminants out eventually tear and expose the ball and socket of the joint to the elements. If they had a grease fitting this issue could be somewhat mitigated by frequent greasing to push out the contaminants. Unfortunately, as I stated, the joints are not greaseable. So, once the boots tear it's down hill from there. Some have added grease with a needle or even added grease fittings by drilling and tapping the joints to accept them. No doubt, these bush fixes will help to extend their life...but are bandaid fixes. The best you can do is have them checked during service and expect to replace them eventually. I did my own and only had about $900 in parts (however, I refreshed the whole front suspension too). Good Luck !

[Dav L]

You can add grease fittings to the non greasable joints. Pretty easy. Takes about two hours to do all four. Just drill the right size hole, apply grease to the end of the drill bit to contain any metal shavings. Tap the hole, put a standard grease fitting in and pump up what seals are still there

[Ray,IN]

FWIW, I had my MH aligned last year. the rubber covers are gone. I asked them to inspect the ball joints for wear, the report stated the ball joints showed no excessive wear. My 1999 Spartan MM GT chassis has 47,xxx miles on the clock. The shop owner told me to spray them with pure silicone spray every few months and they should last as long as i'm able to drive.
Now there are new replacement boots available:https://www.suspension.com/universal-dust-boots.asp

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Now there are new replacement boots available:https://www.suspension.com/universal-dust-boots.asp

I think Drewfab on here was trying to find some replacement boots by measurements. I looked at these before I replaced mine.

[Dav L]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

FWIW, I had my MH aligned last year. the rubber covers are gone. I asked them to inspect the ball joints for wear, the report stated the ball joints showed no excessive wear. My 1999 Spartan MM GT chassis has 47,xxx miles on the clock. The shop owner told me to spray them with pure silicone spray every few months and they should last as long as i'm able to drive.
Now there are new replacement boots available:https://www.suspension.com/universal-dust-boots.asp

the lower ball joint is 65mm. suspension.com doesn't make one that large.
There is another post that references the wunderlodge folks forum where a user made a mold and sells replacement boots on ebay that I found.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by Dav L

the lower ball joint is 65mm. suspension.com doesn't make one that large.
There is another post that references the wunderlodge folks forum where a user made a mold and sells replacement boots on ebay that I found.

Yes, those are split boots so you don't have to remove the ball joint from the arm.
I decided to install zerk fittings, and new boots when I find the right ones. For now i just spray with silicone, as that HDT repair shop recommended.

[AFChap]

I had my Upper & lower ball joints and drag link replaced in 2011 at 65k miles just because the boots were cracked. Apx $5,400. There was creaking and popping both before and after all that was replaced. Now I am at 125k and still running strong as far as I know. Creaking in a slow speed tight right turn as normal, occasional pop on rapid up and down movement … as there has been since day one.

[CP598]

What years, chassis, or front end was affected? I see a Mountain Master GT, what about the Mountain Master K2? I have a 2005 Mountain Master K2 with the 14,600 lb. front axle and wonder if this is one that is affected.

[Jake21]

I have a 2002 Eagle and the boot are gone. I have the joints checked about once per year. They are good.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by CP598

What years, chassis, or front end was affected? I see a Mountain Master GT, what about the Mountain Master K2? I have a 2005 Mountain Master K2 with the 14,600 lb. front axle and wonder if this is one that is affected.

Only the Reyco Granning IFS is affected. I think the boots material was changed in 2004 or 06.

[ARFFMAN]

Originally Posted by Meames1

The joints manufactured for the Reyco-Granning front suspensions used by Spartan are "non-greasable". That by itself is not really a major problem, the problem is that the rubber boots keeping the grease in and contaminants out eventually tear and expose the ball and socket of the joint to the elements. If they had a grease fitting this issue could be somewhat mitigated by frequent greasing to push out the contaminants. Unfortunately, as I stated, the joints are not greaseable. So, once the boots tear it's down hill from there. Some have added grease with a needle or even added grease fittings by drilling and tapping the joints to accept them. No doubt, these bush fixes will help to extend their life...but are bandaid fixes. The best you can do is have them checked during service and expect to replace them eventually. I did my own and only had about $900 in parts (however, I refreshed the whole front suspension too). Good Luck !

I read the above post and see that you replaced the ball joints yourself. Was it a hard job and do you have to align the rig after jobs complete. I do most of the maintenance but replacing the ball joints is something i'm haven't done on a large truck, etc.

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by ARFFMAN

I read the above post and see that you replaced the ball joints yourself. Was it a hard job and do you have to align the rig after jobs complete. I do most of the maintenance but replacing the ball joints is something i'm haven't done on a large truck, etc.

Here is a thread when I did them, while not really a step by step, but it pretty much shows everything. https://www.irv2.com/forums/f25/ifs1...sh-481075.html
Not really hard IMO, but everything is much bigger so you need to be prepared with the proper tools. Good Luck !