bearing or ball joint?

[515PHOTO]

Hi All.
2018 r1200RT LC
Anyone know if the front lower fork brace, which bolts up to the trailing arm, has a bearing or ball joint at the end of the bolt? The fiche has the brace as one piece--doesn't show what is inside. I am guessing a ball joint as I think it should need to flex at that spot as suspension compresses or expands--but not sure. Thanks.

 

[henzilla]

If you are describing this, a ball joint

 

[taran1900]

Hi All.
2018 r1200RT LC
Anyone know if the front lower fork brace, which bolts up to the trailing arm, has a bearing or ball joint at the end of the bolt? The fiche has the brace as one piece--doesn't show what is inside. I am guessing a ball joint as I think it should need to flex at that spot as suspension compresses or expands--but not sure. Thanks.

There is a ball joint contained within the lower fork bridge. The maintenance manual does not break down the fork bridge itself so it does not explicitly say there is a ball joint in there.

I'm curious, why do you ask? Every bike I've owned since 1993 has had a telelever and I have never once had an issue. I think I had to periodically check the torque on the ball joint on the oilheads I owned, by my 2005 RT and my current R1250RT have zero scheduled maintenance for the front suspension.

 

[henzilla]

There is a ball joint contained within the lower fork bridge. The maintenance manual does not break down the fork bridge itself so it does not explicitly say there is a ball joint in there.

I'm curious, why do you ask? Every bike I've owned since 1993 has had a telelever and I have never once had an issue. I think I had to periodically check the torque on the ball joint on the oilheads I owned, by my 2005 RT and my current R1250RT have zero scheduled maintenance for the front suspension.

The early Wedge K’s had a few presenting low speed lane drift needing a lot of input to go straight. Replacing that ball joint corrected the occurrence. Have seen a few 1100 Oilhead GS’s with loose, knocking joint.
Nothing serviceable for sure and the latest generations seem fine.

 

[taran1900]

The early Wedge K’s had a few presenting low speed lane drift needing a lot of input to go straight. Replacing that ball joint corrected the occurrence. Have seen a few 1100 Oilhead GS’s with loose, knocking joint.
Nothing serviceable for sure and the latest generations seem fine.

I remember now. That knocking was why you had to periodically torque it as it would do that if loose. Happened once on my old '94 R1100RS. After that I did the periodic maintenance and it never happened again.

I never touched it on my 2005 RT which I had almost 14 years as it never loosened up and the manual did not specify any maintenance. It had about 130k miles on when I sold it. I do remember checking it for tightness a couple of times.

 

[515PHOTO]

That is indeed what I am referring too. I had the top clamp off recently and then saw play at that spot that made sense if it was a ball joint but concerning if it was a bearing. Looks like all is good. Thanks all.