Joined
·
6 Posts
Story - or cut to chase below
-----------------------------
Doing front end grease maintenance like a good rider should to a older bike that probably hasn't seen that much love sense it rolled off the factory floor. I was also in the middle of some major up grades and reworks (carbs modded, rejet, new exhaust, 12 tooth [turns out was already on the bike now got a spare], oil change, reverse lever, and Brand new OEM 2008 450 shocks coming in the mail, need to get lower arms prep). I start stripping down the right side A arms and cleaning all of the grease point and joints which were so badly fowled up that a air assisted grease gun could not penetrate!! So already kicking myself for knowing that I wasn't going to get off the hook that easily on the grease job I break out my tie rod spreader/separator tool and start hammering away at the lower A arm. I realize to my dismay that even though using the proper tool I still ripped the boot (looking back I might been able to shim something in there to protect the boot). I look at the lower ball joint and and see the locking ring and was like cool I will just replace them, good thing to do anyways. I completely clean out the lower arm, and start on the upper right arm. I pop the ball joint and see that I ripped that boot too! Then I see that this joint is a press fit and I start to get worried. After some research I realize I'm screwed!!
The Chase
---------------
'08 yfz 450 brand new shocks will be used, and are on the way, cant get around that fact, I never want to spend a ton of money just solid upgrades.
The wallet needs to remain in mind, still would like to get a couple more dune trips in.
The options
------------
($130ish)
The cheap and easy fix. Ebay has new right side upper arms for about $100, and replace that lower joint I broke for about $30. Clean the left side joints but don't remove the ball joints from the wheel hub. Downside if i ever break another upper ball joint have to replace another arm, and potential pulling on one side due new joint on one side and not the other.
($280ish)
Middle of the road and maybe the smartest of the three. Replace both upper a arm with after market (found set on ebay 220) and this way the upper joints are now replaceable. Then replace the left side lower ball joint as well as the right for about $60. This option I will be able to replace all joints at will in the future easily and cheaply (lot less headaches always a plus), also no worries with the new shocks that are in the mail, everything bolts right up but still have to mod the lower arms which I was going to do anyways before this all happened.
($575-600ish)
I go for broke get +2 A arm kit and 2" spacers for the rear.
**I need to know if +2 Arms will work with yfz 450 shocks on raptor 660**
The bike has factor swing arm
If those two things could work together how will it ride for the dunes?
I'm leaning in the middle at $280 a the moment because I'm not seeing a big enough upside to the +2 kit and I currently dont know if it will work or not. I need to make a choice very fast, like next day or two. A buddy is going to work on my valves and I need humpty dumpty back together again.
Any help/advice would be great!!
Thanks!!
-----------------------------
Doing front end grease maintenance like a good rider should to a older bike that probably hasn't seen that much love sense it rolled off the factory floor. I was also in the middle of some major up grades and reworks (carbs modded, rejet, new exhaust, 12 tooth [turns out was already on the bike now got a spare], oil change, reverse lever, and Brand new OEM 2008 450 shocks coming in the mail, need to get lower arms prep). I start stripping down the right side A arms and cleaning all of the grease point and joints which were so badly fowled up that a air assisted grease gun could not penetrate!! So already kicking myself for knowing that I wasn't going to get off the hook that easily on the grease job I break out my tie rod spreader/separator tool and start hammering away at the lower A arm. I realize to my dismay that even though using the proper tool I still ripped the boot (looking back I might been able to shim something in there to protect the boot). I look at the lower ball joint and and see the locking ring and was like cool I will just replace them, good thing to do anyways. I completely clean out the lower arm, and start on the upper right arm. I pop the ball joint and see that I ripped that boot too! Then I see that this joint is a press fit and I start to get worried. After some research I realize I'm screwed!!
The Chase
---------------
'08 yfz 450 brand new shocks will be used, and are on the way, cant get around that fact, I never want to spend a ton of money just solid upgrades.
The wallet needs to remain in mind, still would like to get a couple more dune trips in.
The options
------------
($130ish)
The cheap and easy fix. Ebay has new right side upper arms for about $100, and replace that lower joint I broke for about $30. Clean the left side joints but don't remove the ball joints from the wheel hub. Downside if i ever break another upper ball joint have to replace another arm, and potential pulling on one side due new joint on one side and not the other.
($280ish)
Middle of the road and maybe the smartest of the three. Replace both upper a arm with after market (found set on ebay 220) and this way the upper joints are now replaceable. Then replace the left side lower ball joint as well as the right for about $60. This option I will be able to replace all joints at will in the future easily and cheaply (lot less headaches always a plus), also no worries with the new shocks that are in the mail, everything bolts right up but still have to mod the lower arms which I was going to do anyways before this all happened.
($575-600ish)
I go for broke get +2 A arm kit and 2" spacers for the rear.
**I need to know if +2 Arms will work with yfz 450 shocks on raptor 660**
The bike has factor swing arm
If those two things could work together how will it ride for the dunes?
I'm leaning in the middle at $280 a the moment because I'm not seeing a big enough upside to the +2 kit and I currently dont know if it will work or not. I need to make a choice very fast, like next day or two. A buddy is going to work on my valves and I need humpty dumpty back together again.
Any help/advice would be great!!
Thanks!!