Carter GTR Ball joints...

Posts: 230

Yes, is very similar to what I got sitting at the mach. shop, my original plan... But gonna still try check into the this Jackster settup, Mon bearing houses are open & then know more. Found links to some possibilities -- one site calls these Trunnion bearings, COM bearing & found another says Universal Bellcrank. Hope my business allows me enough time to get back on this Mon. Plowing sure easier than tech research for me Rolling Eyes

Posts: 186

I think these could work well too.
Just have figure out a way to install them so that new ones can be fitted if they wear out.

Jackster

Posts: 230

Jackster U had ask me while back; if I'd had any problems w/the lower ball joints... our GSR150 ((which has same struts, only tube lit'l smaller diameter), now w/ over 1000 mi. it getting a bit sloppy, found this ball j. nut a touch loose - again; funny how this rig upper ball j. are in great shape !?!
OEM struts need occational disassemble, & repack & retorque, to have any chance of long life status... I continueing to replace the soft, coned OEM washers, w/better hardened washers (these were reason nut showing up loose often). Off to bearing house today - as now have 4 struts to modify...

Posts: 186

Yes it felt a bit unstable at high speed.
At first I thought it was the hub bearings, but they are still good.
I took a closer look just now, and yes... bottom nut on the right was loose. The strut had about 1/4" play at the bottom. Fixed it with a large washer as you did, and just to be safe did the other side too.

No wonder the funny handling...
Thanks for the tip, all good now!

4 struts to do? Are you going to fix the broken ones too?

Jackster

Posts: 230

Posts: 186

OK, upper joints om both I asume.
The setup I sent you for the upper joints will probably not work for the lower ones. Because bearing is held in place by the circlip.

Jackster

Posts: 230

Posts: 186

OK you got me a bit worried there...
The screw-in ball joints are actually a good find!
I sure keep those in mind for the lower joints.

Posts: 141

So how are the struts comeing along,any progress ?

Posts: 230

Machine shop, got this work in progress... Waited to get the lower ball joints in (just to realize the Screw in ball joints R a joke, for this strut project) screw in/screw together; Not. Lower end of strut will remain OEM, while self centering Com bearing (w/highest Thrust rating & min of 15 degree I could find) on top end gonna work well but must change the A-arm tab angle to properly center this bearing w/in full range of susp. travel !! Turns out the OEM ball joint was (in fully extended -unweighted - position) at & slightly beyond its limit of angle... Hitting ball joints outer housing, while fully compressed the linkage only moved OEM ball joint angle slightly beyond center of range of movement. Centering this strut mount tab on a-arm, may have in & of itself eliminated my issues w/breaking off ball threads, but this new bearing settup of Jacksters will add strength, & stability to this strut, & still allow for future replacement-if needed, & also designing this to be greasable as well. Boys @ mach. shop doing this in their spare time for me (to save me some dough, so may still be a few days till I can get pics of completed redesign) also told em, they gonna get the first Torture test upon completion in lot behind shop. I will post this progress as soon as possible...