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Workshop => Suspension and Chassis => Topic started by: The norm on March 23, 2020, 12:31:01 AM

Title: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on March 23, 2020, 12:31:01 AM
I have a couple sets of stock A-Arms that were in poor condition and after sandblasting them I decided that the lowers needed new ball joints. The stock 86 uppers have ball joints that can be replaced, but the lowers have welded in ball joints.
Since I have two sons riding R's and both need decent A-Arms I can't just buy two sets of aftermarket arms. So I machined a threaded sleeve that fits in the tube portion of the ball joint.

Step 1:
Cut off ball joint and leave 1.625" of the tube

(https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/cf/7e/9a/e56bd91337874775.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/e56bd91337874775) (https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/2f/b3/8c/2883031337874800.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2883031337874800)
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on March 23, 2020, 12:46:28 AM
Step 2:
Machine threaded spacer. The id of the tube that the sleeves go into is .785" so the threaded sleeve is .785" od with m16x1.5  threads.

(https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/84/5c/77/375d0d1337882256.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/375d0d1337882256) (https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/e4/5f/c5/63abd21337882459.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/63abd21337882459)
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on March 23, 2020, 01:02:10 AM
Step 3:
Tap the threaded sleeve in to the A-Arm tube
(https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/40/bd/40/d0756d1337882724.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/d0756d1337882724)

Step 4:
Weld the sleeves in.

(https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/a8/3b/ba/a8fa161337883037.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/a8fa161337883037) (https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/2d/af/f2/d3389f1337883085.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/d3389f1337883085) (https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/b9/15/a4/c4e2471337883331.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/c4e2471337883331)
(https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/b5/66/13/2c9b241337883593.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2c9b241337883593)
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on March 23, 2020, 01:06:53 AM
Now I just need the Ricky Stator ball joints I ordered to show up so I can complete this project.  In the meantime I will do some touch up sand blasting and then paint them GOLD!
Loren
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: Hawaiiysr on March 23, 2020, 02:33:12 AM
Hey that looks great. I know many have thought of this before but I haven't seen it executed
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: croat1 on March 23, 2020, 06:11:06 AM
Good job Loren

Joe
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: Tbone07 on March 23, 2020, 01:13:25 PM
Very nice!! I know this is what a lot of 450r riders were doing to their stock a-arms. No need to spend big $$$ just to let the kids learn how to ride.
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on March 23, 2020, 02:03:02 PM
Thanks fellas. I do have a set of burgard A-Arms +2+1 that will go on one of their R's as soon as I can afford to get another set. I want to keep their R's as equal as possible so they have to develop rider skill to best the other guy. No unfair mechanical advantage lol.
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: Hawaiiysr on March 23, 2020, 05:55:50 PM
Seeing that i'm pretty much homeless and my plans have changed drastically as far as working on projects go I, would like to help your plan to level the playing field between your boys by donating a set of
+2 +1 arms. They will not be the prettiest arms and more than likely not be a big name brand but im sure they will be something that you will be happy with. I still have Coopers gold wheels I need to ship out also. Next time im at the house to grab some things ill grab the parts as well.
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: Langbolt on March 23, 2020, 05:57:12 PM
Brilliant!!!! :D

Great post!

Powder coat them Brass Flair - Prismatic Powders - Will look just like OEM Honda! :D
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on March 23, 2020, 07:18:34 PM
Seeing that i'm pretty much homeless and my plans have changed drastically as far as working on projects go I, would like to help your plan to level the playing field between your boys by donating a set of
+2 +1 arms. They will not be the prettiest arms and more than likely not be a big name brand but im sure they will be something that you will be happy with. I still have Coopers gold wheels I need to ship out also. Next time im at the house to grab some things ill grab the parts as well.
Josh you are too kind and generous. Hopefully one day I can repay your kindness
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on March 23, 2020, 07:22:13 PM
Brilliant!!!! :D

Great post!

Powder coat them Brass Flair - Prismatic Powders - Will look just like OEM Honda! :D


Thank you,  I searched for this very same thing and came up with nothing positive. People who don't have any imagination told other's that it would cost the same to update stock arms as it would to buy aftermarket. I just had to prove that type of thinking wrong. I will have about $150 into a set of arms going this route.
Loren
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: Langbolt on March 30, 2020, 12:13:33 PM
Loren,

I've seen where you cut off the old ball joint...and install an aftermarket one that slips in to factory hole.....but your method is by far stronger and making it easy to powdercoat without risking ruining the ball joint boots!

I could see a big demand for these sleeves!!!

Thanks for sharing

:D

John
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on March 30, 2020, 03:45:20 PM
I was contemplating marketing the sleeves and even offering to modify people's A-Arms.
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: Langbolt on March 31, 2020, 09:35:11 AM
I was contemplating marketing the sleeves and even offering to modify people's A-Arms.

DO IT!!!! There are 400EX owners with the exact same problem too!!!

:D

Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: ytman on April 02, 2020, 12:15:01 PM
Nicely done!
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on April 11, 2020, 11:01:10 PM
(https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/fb/2e/35/bebb131340078876.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/bebb131340078876) (https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/55/04/93/fd82c31340078883.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/fd82c31340078883) (https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/e1/9a/5f/5b2b321340078887.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/5b2b321340078887)

New Ricky Stator ball joints and a little Rustoleum Gold Rush Metallic paint
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: 2ndmoto on April 12, 2020, 01:41:21 AM
Nice. Looks new!
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on April 28, 2020, 11:32:57 AM
I got another set done for my 13 year old boys R.

(https://thumbs2.imagebam.com/57/6b/c1/12dd7c1341963544.jpg) (http://www.imagebam.com/image/12dd7c1341963544)
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: gtivrt on May 01, 2020, 10:12:51 AM
I just received my weld in sleeves. Top notch work!!! Thank you
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on May 01, 2020, 10:20:11 AM
I just received my weld in sleeves. Top notch work!!! Thank you
My pleasure.  Have fun with your build and please post pictures of your progress! We are crazy for build threads with lots of pictures lol
Loren
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: Action69 on May 01, 2020, 04:53:33 PM
What ball joints are you using?the jd performance a arms that I have has ball joints that thread in like the sleeves you created.any brand better than others?wheres a good source to buy them?thanks
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: Action69 on May 01, 2020, 04:54:42 PM
Never mind I missed that they were Ricky stator
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on May 01, 2020, 05:41:31 PM
Yup Ricky stator
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: Michael88R on May 02, 2020, 08:01:08 PM
Well done Loren!  May have to do that to a set of my arms for my son in a couple years. 
Title: Re: Stock A-arm ball joints
Post by: The norm on May 02, 2020, 11:38:48 PM
It's a fun project.