Yes, the ball joints can be re-used once removed. Removal requires a press and is not easy, so be sure you have a competent shop handle it for you. They are rather expensive to learn on if the tech damages them.

 

Good work! Mark!.....while we are on subject
Are both Timmy boys & Alba's adjustable(uppers)?..Any others out there ?
Which are least expensive?

 

I just finished reading an article on the baja, it says the geometry of the a arms is the same as the ds650 but they have added suspension protectors these so called suspension proctors are also supposed to help reduce accumulation of snow and or mud. These new a arms are also less expensive to manufacture. What they have done on the baja is to change the toe adjustment the ds650 is toed in. the baja is toed to neutral this really changes the handling.

 

The article is from Le monde du vtt volume6 number6 www.LeMondeDuVtt.com It’s obvious the a arms don’t look the same, but according to the article Bombardier says the geometry is the same as a ds650 and the big difference is the neutral toe. Let me know if you can confirm from bombardier that the geometry is really different.

 

According to Gregg Row one of the factory racers the geometry is different on the a- arms but the ohtsu radial tires made the biggest difference.The front end of the Baja is actually half an inch narrower than the regular DS
Bearman

 

According to our own Bombardier insider, the geometry is the same as the previous arms, but the wheel offset and tires have changed to improve the handling. The wheel offset explains why the quad is now narrower.

 

If the front end is narrower than the suspension travel must be slightly less than before.

 

The new ds should also be slightly faster since the it turns 200 rpm faster.that is if rear tire diameter is the same.i know they are both 20" tires but diameter verys between manufactures.

 

Actualy if the front end is narrower has nothing to do with the suspension. They left the front shocks the same but maybe the ride height is changed or they changed the lower shock mount brackets farther out to compensate for the narrower front end.

 

The width of the a arms and the offset of the front wheels has a direct effect on the front suspension travel.the wider the a arms or greater the wheel offset will increase suspension travel and the same for narrower a arms and inset wheels will decrease wheel travel.