On my last ride, I noticed I had a slight squeek coming from my A-arm on the right hand side. I took the A-arm bolts out and they were as dry as a bone, no grease at all. I decided to cure that problem right away, so I made the bolts greasable. I drilled a 1/8 hole 1 1/2 inches down the length of the bolt starting at the head end. Then I drilled a 1/8 hole through the diameter of the bolt intersecting the hole I drilled down the length of the bolt. Next I drilled a hole at the bolt head end 1/4 of an inch deep that you can tap to accept a grease fitting. Tap the hole, put in the grease fitting and put everything back together. Before you wrench the bolts up real tight, put some grease in there so that it will get in between all the metal spacers in your A-arms and then tighten them up. Fixed.

 

When I heard a small squeek from my front left arm the following week my wheel fell off. I looked at the ball joint it was wore out.

 

Drilling bolts can weaken and cause them to break. Not sure if it would be a concern here or not.

What I do is either use a good marine type of grease, OR, and don't laugh, silicone dielectric grease. The dielectric isn't that great of a lube, BUT it will not mely or wash out, and besides, these joints are supposed to be self lubed right?

I believe Polaris did the right thing using zerks when they built the SP, unfortunately they listened to all the wussy's and began eliminating them.

I'd seriously look at the ball joint as mentioned too. If you haven't already heard, AC has recalled most all of it's ATV's for bal joint failures...

 

Both the ball joints seem to be fine. I'm pretty sure it was the A-arm that was squeeking cause as soon as I greased everything up, I had no more squeek. I don't think it will weaken the bolt to the point where it will break. Have you ever tried shearing a piece of pipe? It's damn near impossible. The only real weak spot is where I drilled through the diameter of the bolt, and I drilled that hole right in the middle of the bolt. That way, any shearing will have to take place right in the middle of the A-arm itself.(that is rather confusing isn't it!!!) Hope you get my drift. Anyways, I rode the hell out my 650 this weekend and had no problems.

 

I could have sworn I read somewere in my service manual NOT to lube any of the pivot points with the polyeurathane/ plastic bushing because the lubricant could degrade the rubber/plastic bushing.

 

DaveC, when I took the A-arm bolt out, it was all steel in there. I didn't see any urethane bushings in there, otherwise I wouldn't have greased it. There is a little bit of plastic on the outside ends of the A-arms themselves, so I am hoping that the grease won't bugger them up. If the bushings were made of urethane, I don't think it would squeek at all. I think Dieselpro is right. I would rather do a little bit of greasing with a greasegun. My buddy's 700 has a PILE of zerks on it, but at least he can grease his pivots without having to tear it apart.

 

DaveC, I just looked through my manual and it doesn't say anything about not greasing the front pivot points. In fact, it says to apply grease to the oil seal lips on the front pivot point seals, so I'm sure nothing will be buggered by greasing up the pivots. I could be wrong though. It wouldn't be the first time!!!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

My bad, My poor butt is still riding a P-400 and I'm pretty sure I read it in my service manual. Must have changes sumpin with the new model.