How to check if the telelever ball joint needs replacing

Bruh-San · 2025-10-15T21:27:40-0400

Hey guys, I've got a 2011 R1200GSA with about 31k miles with a torn telelever ball joint boot and by torn I mean its essentially gone. I don't see much grease inside but when I touch it I can feel it. I do not know how long its been like this (I know, complete idiot for not checking it regularly). I do not feel a clunking or a clicking going over bumps or turning the handlebars.

I'm parking the bike and replacing the boot but I'm concerned about the ball joint. How do I check if its ok while everything is still together?

Pterodactyl · 2025-10-15T21:58:31-0400

Place the bike on the center stand with the front wheel off the ground, have an assistant steady the bike. Check the torque on the nut holding the lower bridge to the trailing arm. If I recall correctly, the torque should be 44 ft/lbs. Once the torque is confirmed, grab the front forks near the axle and vigorously try to move the forks from front to rear. The assistant becomes very important at this point. There should be no movement. If there is movement, then there is an issue.

Bruh-San · 2025-10-15T22:07:33-0400

Perfect, I'll do that this weekend. Thank you do much for this info!

How to check if the telelever ball joint needs replacing

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