Hey guys, I have a lower ball joint going bad on my 350. New to the sport here but when i did a search is it true you have to get a new arm or can they be replaced. Any info would be appeciated.

Seen this thread yet? http://pilotodyssey.com/PO/viewtopic.php?t=2308

How about posting detail pics of your arm and the ball joint I bet it can be replaced with some thinking, maybe gut the ball joint weld in a spacer then use a spherical ball and stud?

i havent taken any pics yet. when i lift the front end up off the ground however thereis about 1//4 to 1/2 of play inte the joint. The nut and shaft move that much anyways. i took the coter pin out and tryed tightening or loosening for that matter and the nut is rusted to the threads and the whole joint spins. havent taken the arm off the machine yet do to the fact that i cant get the nut of the joint. might have to get a vice grip through the rubber cover and hold it to keep it from spinning? any thoughts on that?

Neat as I can remember there is a notch under the spindle above the boot for a 14mm wrench to back up the removal of the castle nut... try that. If the ball joint is bad I know that ATV Racing in Phoenix replaces them and only charches $125.00 which is about what you would spend on a used one!!!
I didn't have my camera with me, and they just brought it out to show me when I was picking up my motor (( Internal Combustion Engine ? ))...
http://www.atvracing1.com/home.htm

Look on Ebay, THE "FOR SALE "SECTION HERE- first before spending that kind of money-I just pick up 2 complete front suspensions sides, complete off a seller on ebay for $100 bucks!!!!!-$125.00 from ATVR is totally crazy!!! If you really truly want to spend that kind of money that's up to you, but look around call Randy at odysseysalvage-email SPONGEBOBSCHULZE@AOL.COM,try Terry over at Spinreel.com-there are some other places to find one of these arms-ATVR is a good place, don't get me wrong -I HAVE PURCHASED FROM THEM BEFORE, but 125 is alot of coin for an arm,you can do better.
I would also recommend getting that arm out of the spindle housing you may have a situation going on there as well,if that joint has been loose for some time, the housing itself may be worn to a point that is causing the looseness, I would get it out and look closely at the taper in there.

PS -If you cant find 1-email me please, I'll assist you in getting 1 for cheaper.

well i emailed spinreel and spongebob to see if they have one. Will see if i get an email back. i looked on randys site and it looks like a used one is $180-200. Still searching. havent found one on ebay yet. please let me know if anyone sees one.

There was a place Inland ATV and Performance Salvage that was parting out 2 or 3 FL350s. Look him up on Ebay and shoot him an email. There was someone else parting out a350, last week, I'll see if I had the auction in my watch list

What arm do you need-I'll look in my parts for you, did you take the joint out of the spindle housing?

If Your looking at the machine from the from the front it would be the lower right side. I havent taken it off yet to see if the spindle is worn also. It was nice here today so the boys havent gotten off their atvs yet and i have to keep an eye on them when there out on the track. Plan on taking it apart later tonight or tomorrow. I will post as soon as i get it off.

I quess I wasn't very clear...ATVRacing Replaces the ball joint... new ball joint never before available!!!!
I bought a USED j-arm from after thought and it was not right... I had to buy a SECOND USED J-ARM, and swap bushings from my original j-arm...I just wish I had your luck Mudbogger!!!

Ah, I didnt understand that properly, they replace the joint huh, hmmm I wonder if that can done by oneself? They must be a way to do it yourself right?
I am sorry bout the Afterthought purchase,it happens all the time, you see guys/girls that have made a purchase from a seller and gotten a inferior item, same old thing, sucks man.And the thing is too, people post there bad experineces, shotty performance kits, etc with these vendors and they still get newbies, etc to buy from them, it is mind blowing in a sense.you know what I mean?

i took the arm off tonight, I couldnt get the nut of the ball joint because it just kept spinning. I tried getting a wrench in there to hold it with no luck. kept spinning. I ended up cutting the nut off. its all i could think off. They joint is warn real badly. Are they supposed to be cone shaped as they go up toward the threads. Mine is shaped like a bannana. I took a few pics but don't know how to post them. Question is, which is harder the joint or the spindle? They joint is obviously worn and the spindle doesnt look oblong or anything so im thinking i just need a new joint/arm and not the spindle too. I don't know, waht do you think?

How to post pics http://pilotodyssey.com/PO/viewtopic.php?t=2051

pics

Holy Ball Joint!

that's not good!

Now would be the time to engineer something as a replacement if you can..

Holy Ball Joint Batman... That looks like a banana!!!

You have a few option... Try to find a used j-arm and take your chances on the joint being in "good" shape. weld the bolt back on, My bad, I am wondering if I used a vise grip plier to hold the shaft? Or try ATV Racing...
Mudbogger, I know what you mean by the newbie thing. I sometimes look at some other boards (this is my favorite) and feel like I am being surrounded by sharks...

OH they are "just trying to help you"......
























Lighten your wallet

If you put your credit card number at the bottom of your email or post you get prompt service

When you install the ball joints if the shaft turns all you gotta do is put pressure on the ball joint trying to push it in, you can wrap a ratchet strap around both upper and lower arms and tighten it up, C clamp etc..

LOL it is funny isnt it, BTW i hear you are ASKING SOME QUESTIONS ON THE OTHER BOARDS ABOUT THESE "SELLERS" and they arent liking it, BRAVO my friend, it is about time somebody stood up to it, I have heard they "gang up" on you when you post in repsonse to there "sale pitches",it is refreshing and a good thing you do this, there are all the newbies here that feel exactly like you did-do and it's a shame.

Maybe that's how I got mine??? can't remember...

I ain't trying to piss no one off, I might have to buy something from them someday??? LOL
I asked someone about a watercooled head they posted a picture of, and I commented I liked it, (hillside head) people got defensive??? I ordered some stuff from hillside a few weeks ago. I saw a post that they now have bolts and hardware available!!!