As part of the pre-season service schedule I decided it was time to strip down the steering arms ball joints. I had put off doing this for some time as the end screw caps had been tightened with a punch (by one of the previous owners), so wrecking the slots. Also the threads of the ball joint holder and steering arms in the U-clamps were seized solid. I had previously squirted penetrating fluid in the u-tube slot in an effort to release the threads.The final obstacle was the ball joint arm bolts in the wheel hub were semmi-rounded, so again requiring a lot of dressing to ensure they did not become completely rounded-off.
Noting all the above I had until now lubricated the ball joint with motorcycle chain lube spray grease - and the steering worked fine - free and no tight spots etc...
Anyhow after a lot of hassle I managed to remove the balljoint arm from the hub and unscrew the ball joint holders from the clamps. Once on the bench I was able to remove the holder screw caps (threads ok) and dismantle the balljoint. The upshot was the ball joint head was badly worn & scorred requiring replacement, but the bushes surprisingly unmarked and in pretty good shape - perhaps the previous chap simply replaced the bushes and hoped for the best?
So the 'so what' is look after your ball joints as the new ball arms are not cheap - ideally fitting either a screw cap with a grease nipple or fit one to the holder body and finally grease/copperslip your threads....
Although at times frustrating, I eventually had a very rewarding day knowing I'd overcome all the 'gumption traps' (remembering Zen & the art of motorcycle mechanic book) and now QFAD has tip-top steering!
