Balljoint Spacer Problem
#1
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Balljoint Spacer Problem
I installed the BJ spacers awhile back after the first big group buy. i put them on and everything was fine. now i have the problem of busting CV boots left and right after wheeling. i know this is due to the increaased angle but is anyone else having this problem? how are you fixing it if you do?
#2
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Originally Posted by herbsblue4x4
I installed the BJ spacers awhile back after the first big group buy. i put them on and everything was fine. now i have the problem of busting CV boots left and right after wheeling. i know this is due to the increaased angle but is anyone else having this problem? how are you fixing it if you do?
Also, I take it you are using aftermarket boots? It's important to make sure when you clamp 'em on the shaft, you leave 'em bunched up enough to flex. Otherwise, with the mean age of a 1st/2nd gen CV boot at 14 years old, I'm surprised I don't hear of it more.
Frank.
#3
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Originally Posted by herbsblue4x4
I installed the BJ spacers awhile back after the first big group buy. i put them on and everything was fine. now i have the problem of busting CV boots left and right after wheeling. i know this is due to the increaased angle but is anyone else having this problem? how are you fixing it if you do?
#4
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I have had mine on since before the group buy and probably have mileage near the top with them. So far there have been no issues.
I have the bars relaxed as far as they will go, so the angle is not bad at all.
I also have shimmed low profile extension stops.
The only thing I trash more often are idlers and that does not seem to be a result of this.
I have the bars relaxed as far as they will go, so the angle is not bad at all.
I also have shimmed low profile extension stops.
The only thing I trash more often are idlers and that does not seem to be a result of this.
#5
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Originally Posted by Flygtenstein
I have had mine on since before the group buy and probably have mileage near the top with them. So far there have been no issues.
I have the bars relaxed as far as they will go, so the angle is not bad at all.
I also have shimmed low profile extension stops.
The only thing I trash more often are idlers and that does not seem to be a result of this.
I have the bars relaxed as far as they will go, so the angle is not bad at all.
I also have shimmed low profile extension stops.
The only thing I trash more often are idlers and that does not seem to be a result of this.
#6
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Originally Posted by Flygtenstein
I have had mine on since before the group buy and probably have mileage near the top with them. So far there have been no issues.
I have the bars relaxed as far as they will go, so the angle is not bad at all.
I also have shimmed low profile extension stops.
The only thing I trash more often are idlers and that does not seem to be a result of this.
I have the bars relaxed as far as they will go, so the angle is not bad at all.
I also have shimmed low profile extension stops.
The only thing I trash more often are idlers and that does not seem to be a result of this.
Frank
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#8
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Originally Posted by Flygtenstein
Yeah, but they cost money and the lifetime idler from Napa is already on the rig. It should all be laying in Schaefer's garage after a while anyway.
#9
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Originally Posted by herbsblue4x4
I installed the BJ spacers awhile back after the first big group buy. now i have the problem of busting CV boots left and right after wheeling. i know this is due to the increaased angle but is anyone else having this problem?
I'm running the original CV joints and boots on my '88 and I have no signs of wear or fatigue on the boots.
I did, however, break a braced idler arm during my last trip out. The ball joint/stud that attaches to the center link wore out and almost pulled completely out of the idler arm. This is the only front end failure I've had in the 12 years I've been wheeling my rig, and it's not even related to BJ spacers.
Good luck.
#10
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thanks for the info guys. well i think Frank may be on to something i might have done wrong. i may have installed the boots with too much "stretch" in them to begin with. but i am running a stock front suspension, (bump stops, idler arm, etc) i have the OME shocks and they give me the travel i need for the extra lift. but maybe im just having bad luck. I have no pics sorry. i still am not sure how to post them. (havent really tried either) the boots are from napa auto parts. my T-Bars are untouched although i think i would like to let out some of the lift they give. but i am not sure really. thanks again
Walt
Walt
#11
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I've seen boots fail on other vehciles because they were over stretched. Basically, before clamping the shaft ends, just jack up the truck and let 'em slide up. Then clamp 'em and you shoulld be fine.
Frank
Frank
#12
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: 100 miles offshore as much as possible, & Springfield Oregon USA
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There's a bunch of you on here that trash idlers regularly apparently. I've been a Yota enthusiast for 20 years and no one I've ever met or heard of has bent one. My friends are NOT street runners (my truck is the prissiest one of the bunch, and it goes through mud and on the dunes and I tore out a sidewall on the rocks not long ago...) the smallest tires in the lot are 33s with most 35s or 37s. We snap u-joints, we break axles, but we don't trash idlers. How in the world do you guys manage to bend these things? Just really abusive? <grin>
Last edited by Flamedx4; 10-14-2004 at 02:53 PM.
#13
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Originally Posted by Flamedx4
There's a bunch of you on here that trash idlers regularly apparently. I've been a Yota enthusiast for 20 years and no one I've ever met or heard of has bent one. My friends are NOT street runners (my truck is the prissiest one of the bunch, and it goes through mud and on the dunes and I tore out a sidewall on the rocks not long ago...) the smallest tires in the lot are 33s with most 35s or 37s. We snap u-joints, we break axles, but we don't trash idlers. How in the world do you guys manage to bend these things? Just really abusive? <grin>
#15
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Yep, you caught me, I am lame and never wheel. My lockers do not actually get turned on and my wheeling is straight ahead. Your friends are real wheelers who drive a lot better.
I did not start smoking them until I had a crawler.
I did not start smoking them until I had a crawler.
#16
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Originally Posted by Flamedx4
How in the world do you guys manage to bend these things? Just really abusive? <grin>
#17
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Originally Posted by Flamedx4
There's a bunch of you on here that trash idlers regularly apparently. I've been a Yota enthusiast for 20 years and no one I've ever met or heard of has bent one... How in the world do you guys manage to bend these things? Just really abusive? <grin>
I replaced it with a braced one, given to me by a guy who did a SAS. The problem with that one is that the ball joint/stud just crapped out. The arm itself is fine, but the stud where the center link attaches broke and had about an inch of slop in it. I tried to limp it home from the trails with a busted idler, and that wasn't fun.
Originally Posted by Flygtenstein
I did not start smoking them until I had a crawler.
#18
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For argument's sake, in 3 days of wheeling in CO, I bent an idler with 1200 miles on it to the point it wedged to the frame and I could not steer. I replaced that one, drove 1400 miles and bent another one in Moab that wedged against the frame and caused me to winch off.
The two bent ones were Napa's made by Moog and have a lifetime warranty, so replacement costs me nothing. It is somewhat annoying to be on my third idler in 8 weeks, less than 3k miles and 6 days of wheeling.
The two bent ones were Napa's made by Moog and have a lifetime warranty, so replacement costs me nothing. It is somewhat annoying to be on my third idler in 8 weeks, less than 3k miles and 6 days of wheeling.
#19
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Originally Posted by Flygtenstein
For argument's sake, in 3 days of wheeling in CO, I bent an idler with 1200 miles on it to the point it wedged to the frame and I could not steer. I replaced that one, drove 1400 miles and bent another one in Moab that wedged against the frame and caused me to winch off.
The two bent ones were Napa's made by Moog and have a lifetime warranty, so replacement costs me nothing. It is somewhat annoying to be on my third idler in 8 weeks, less than 3k miles and 6 days of wheeling.
The two bent ones were Napa's made by Moog and have a lifetime warranty, so replacement costs me nothing. It is somewhat annoying to be on my third idler in 8 weeks, less than 3k miles and 6 days of wheeling.
I bent two then got the Downey brace. It's been good ever since.
Frank
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Not to bring back a thread from the past or anything..... but I snapped one sliding around on pavement.... first rain last year I came sliding up to a stop sign and hit a pot hole that was underwater.... it sheared the idler ball-joint thing straight off. Had to waste a tow to get it the 3 miles back home.
Totally my fault. It was stupid.
Just wanted to share my experience breaking one.
Good to know Downey is the one who makes a brace. I've seen them on the trails, but didn't know who made it.
Totally my fault. It was stupid.
Just wanted to share my experience breaking one.
Good to know Downey is the one who makes a brace. I've seen them on the trails, but didn't know who made it.
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