Hi I got a 1997 big bear and was wondering if anyone ever tried unwelding/grinding old ball joints and placing new ones... 2000-6 there cliped in but older models there welded...

I wanted to know if the hole was the same size in the 2000 and up...TY

And what did any of you guys use to grind.... pencil grinder?

 

if you are pretty good with measuring/welding items ,i would say go ahead and try grindeing off the old joint and welding new. but my buddy tried to do that and did not get it aligned properly... threw off the steering horribly. can you just buy a new ball joint/part you are looking for?

try http://www.bikebandit.com/

 

under 2000 the big bears ball joints are welded to a arms... top a arms are over 200$ each... in all like 600$ where I can get all ball joints for just 80$ if I can weld them in myself.

 

Can't find picture options here..... but heres a link to a arm like mine.... you can see where its welded... I wonder if 2000 and up a arms have the same size hole... with a pencil grinder i guess I could take my time and try not to warp hole to much. http://s156.photobucket.com/al...w&current=IMG_2810.jpg

 

seeing that the biggears last and last, you might be money ahead seeing if you can put 2000+ a-arms on yours. that way you can replace the ball joints next time around???

 

I was thinking that... but will they fit... not same oempart numbers but maybe just design ... know anyone that tryed?

 

Heres a 04 model... they look centered but are they the same lenght and width?
http://s156.photobucket.com/al...w&current=DSC05449.jpg