Dk50 seh ball joint play

[liberty2701]

I ripped the small rubber boot on the steering assy that protects the ball joint. I called the dealer for a new one and Kioti does not sell the boot by itself. They only sell the whole ball joint assy. What a joke that is. Anyway, while I had the front end up I noticed both ball joints have play in them.. I can move each wheel side to side. Both sides are the same. I know in the auto world ball joints should have no play. Before I call the dealer I would like to see if any one knows the answer to this. My tractor has 100 hrs.

 

[o2batsea]

Since when are tie rods boots sold separately?

 

[liberty2701]

Since when are tie rods boots sold separately?

Let me make it a little clearer. It is the ball joint not tie rod that is bad. The tie rod is outer the ball joint is inner. The boot covering it is like a cv boot on a car. I had it off in 5 minutes. It should be a separate part being it is susceptible to damage just like a cv boot on an atv. Kioti sells the whole assy for $200. Like I said what a joke. The bottom line is both ball joints are bad. Confirmed with the dealer and not sure why they are bad at 100 hrs of use. Will be replaced under warranty. I hope these kind of parts are not were Kioti cuts quality to save on cost. These ball joints take a lot of abuse in the front end.

 

[Fuggley]

... so, you ripped the boot. Your Kioti dealer is doing a fine job for you, getting some wear items replaced while you have warranty. Sounds like a good news story to me.

 

[ritcheyvs]

In other applications (even when the boot is separately available) the rule is to replace the whole joint unless you are certain no dirt has gotten into the joint. Given the free play you report. the joint is suspect, at the very least. I am familiar with some automotive applications where the ball joint is heavily loaded (supports weight of the car) and some play is permissible. But ball joints with little static load should have no perceptible play, as a rule.

 

[DK35vince]

Let me make it a little clearer. It is the ball joint not tie rod that is bad. The tie rod is outer the ball joint is inner.

I didn't think the DK 50 even had ball joints.
I thought it was the bevel gear style front axle with bearings instead of ball joints.
Sounds to me like you are talking about the tie rod ends.

 

[DK35vince]

I didn't think the DK 50 even had ball joints.
I thought it was the bevel gear style front axle with bearings instead of ball joints.
Sounds to me like you are talking about the tie rod ends.

I looked up what kioti is calling a ball joint in the parts breakdown of a DK 50.
I see now what you are talking about.

 

[Coyote machine]

Get them replaced under your warranty. Possibly they weren't installed properly when the tractor was built, or they had some bad joints from their supplier. Either way, this is what a warranty does for you, and why you pay for it when you buy new. FWIW, I've never heard of this issue on a DK-50 before now. That's not to say it doesn't occur, just not an everyday complaint.

 

[DK35vince]

Item #6 is what they are calling the ball joint
Error

 

[murphy1244]

Under Hydraulic, no wonder I could not find it. Thanks DK.

 

[DK35vince]

Under Hydraulic, no wonder I could not find it. Thanks DK.

Took me some time to find it also.

 

[TractorLegend]

On an automobile with rack and pinion type steering they call it an inner tie rod end. Even though it's a ball socket arrangement.

 

[Coyote machine]

It's the whole thing, tie-rod end and ball joint, sold as one piece, with boot included. (It might be possible to adapt a stock ball joint or tie rod end's rubber boot to replace a torn one; when just the rubber boot is damaged/torn, before any grit gets in the joint, in the case of no worn/defective parts).
My right tie rod boot is gone. I cleaned up the entire joint assembly, then wrapped it with Grace Bituthene, then the strong black duct tape, after packing the joint with fresh grease. I just redid the wrap I described because it was falling apart. This time I used a synthetic grass seed bag section, a bunch of grease, the original spring coil ring and spring type clamps to hold the bag from coming loose. I'm going to add another layer of synthetic roofing felt over the whole thing and duct tape the seams and clamp that with cable ties. I refuse to give up $200 to a joint that works, other than missing the rubber boot.:confused3:

 

[TomSeller]

....., while I had the front end up I noticed both ball joints have play in them.. I can move each wheel side to side........ My tractor has 100 hrs.

There should not be that much play at 100 hrs. Your warranty should be used to replace these and look to see corrective action via the replacement part number.

 

[seacap04]

"It's the whole thing, tie-rod end and ball joint, sold as one piece, with boot included. (It might be possible to adapt a stock ball joint or tie rod end's rubber boot to replace a torn one; when just the rubber boot is damaged/torn, before any grit gets in the joint, in the case of no worn/defective parts).
My right tie rod boot is gone. I cleaned up the entire joint assembly, then wrapped it with Grace Bituthene, then the strong black duct tape, after packing the joint with fresh grease. I just redid the wrap I described because it was falling apart. This time I used a synthetic grass seed bag section, a bunch of grease, the original spring coil ring and spring type clamps to hold the bag from coming loose. I'm going to add another layer of synthetic roofing felt over the whole thing and duct tape the seams and clamp that with cable ties. I refuse to give up $200 to a joint that works, other than missing the rubber boot."

Exactly what I would do Coyote Machine

 

[Coyote machine]

"It's the whole thing, tie-rod end and ball joint, sold as one piece, with boot included. (It might be possible to adapt a stock ball joint or tie rod end's rubber boot to replace a torn one; when just the rubber boot is damaged/torn, before any grit gets in the joint, in the case of no worn/defective parts).
My right tie rod boot is gone. I cleaned up the entire joint assembly, then wrapped it with Grace Bituthene, then the strong black duct tape, after packing the joint with fresh grease. I just redid the wrap I described because it was falling apart. This time I used a synthetic grass seed bag section, a bunch of grease, the original spring coil ring and spring type clamps to hold the bag from coming loose. I'm going to add another layer of synthetic roofing felt over the whole thing and duct tape the seams and clamp that with cable ties. I refuse to give up $200 to a joint that works, other than missing the rubber boot."

Exactly what I would do Coyote Machine

Brilliant minds think alike!:laughing:

 

[liberty2701]

I just got back my tractor today. Kioti replaced them under warranty. Initially Kioti denied the warranty claiming it is a wear item. Then the dealer persisted and and explained that both are bad and the tractor only has 100 hrs. They then approved it for warranty replacement. The ripped boot did not cause the failure on the one joint since I discovered it immediately and took the tractor out of service. It still seems that this part being at a cost of $210 each should not wear out at 100 hours. Kioti needs to step up the quality of these parts or install a grease fitting at the joint to extend its life ( any ideas on this?) Anyhow, I am a happy Kioti owner since the dealer and Kioti did the right thing.

 

[DK35vince]

Kioti needs to step up the quality of these parts or install a grease fitting at the joint to extend its life ( any ideas on this?) Anyhow, I am a happy Kioti owner since the dealer and Kioti did the right thing.

If we were seeing this problem more often I would agree.
But this is the first time I recall ever reading about this issue on the steering joints

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I ripped the small rubber boot on the steering assy that protects the ball joint. I called the dealer for a new one and Kioti does not sell the boot by itself. They only sell the whole ball joint assy. What a joke that is. Anyway, while I had the front end up I noticed both ball joints have play in them.. I can move each wheel side to side. Both sides are the same. I know in the auto world ball joints should have no play. Before I call the dealer I would like to see if any one knows the answer to this. My tractor has 100 hrs.

That sounds like premature wear, but it may not be out of spec.

I tore one of my inner boots, cleaned it up shot grease into it, taped it up, and reinstalled the weird wire retainer.

Then I made better guards to protect that rubber boot.

 

[Coyote machine]

If we were seeing this problem more often I would agree.
But this is the first time I recall ever reading about this issue on the steering joints

I agree with the above. Yes, the outer boots are vulnerable to tearing, and Kioti ought to offer the boot as a separate item, but they choose not to. Such is life. Kioti replaced your parts under warranty, as they should, and now you know what to do and to look for going forward.