2005 SP 500

Any tips/directions for replcing ball joints?

Any aftermarket/American made alternatives to Polaris brand?

 

If you have a grease zerk on the strut unscrew it(eliminates vacuum effect while removing the ball joint), find something of a similar diameter to the bottom of the strut(I save old bearing races or use a stubby socket), place it on the strut bottom and put the castle nut with a thick washer back on the threads. Then you can use a ball joint separator or open end wrench to pry on the nut/washer using the spacer as a fulcrum.

Place the new ball joint in the freezer until you are ready to install and it will go in pretty easy.

New ball joints can be found pretty cheap on ebay.

 

A little heat on the strut helps a lot.

 

propane torch around bottom of strut, pair of vice grips on ball joint bolt , hit vice grips with hammer, have new one ready , get a deep socket the same size as bottom of ball joint, install while strut is still hot

 

There is a right way and wrong and my way. I put the nut back on the ball joint. I put the nut in a vice. I heat the strut and I beat on the strut with a hammer. If you use heat the joint will slip out easy.

 

Any brands better than others? American made brands?