Front Strut Lower Ball Joint Lubrication

No:  2010-004

Issue Date:  11/18/10

Subject:  Front Strut lower ball joint lubrication

Importance:  High

Description of Problem:  Difficult to get grease into the front strut lower ball joint grease fitting, retainer plate deflection, retainer plate bolts pull out or break.

Units Affected:  All 1500E UTV and LSV models

Cause:  The strut manufacturer modified the ball joint by installing a nylon liner to eliminate the need for lubrication but left the grease fitting intact without informing Bad Boy, Inc.

Solution:  Stop lubricating the ball joint. Bad Boy, Inc. feels that making the ball joint a permanently lubricated joint is not a viable solution since the joints have been known to sometimes develop squeaks due to the lower part of the ball not receiving lubrication. We have asked the manufacturer to pursue cutting lubrication channels in the nylon liner to allow grease to flow across all areas of the ball joint. There are no concerns that the current ball joints will fail although they may develop a squeak especially if the vehicles routinely drive through water. If a squeak should develop, pull one edge of the boot down and inject grease between the boot and underside of the ball joint.

Contact Information:

Dave Watts (Tech Support)  (870) 698-0090

Denny Gottschalk (Engineering) (870) 307-6710

Email: dennis.gottschalk@badboymowers.com