SERVICE BULLETIN
SB2501
ADDRESSEES

: Owners and operators
ABC Customer Care and parts Source

VEHICLE MODEL

: Coaches with Van Hool independent wheel suspension

MANUAL CHAPTER

: 12.06 Axles – front axle
12.14 Axles – trailing axle

BULLETIN TYPE

: Service information

DATE

: July 08th, 2025

SUBJECT

: Replacement of control arms flexible ball-joint

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

: This bulletin does not entitle to any reimbursement.

DESCRIPTION
The control arms of the front and trailing axles are equipped with a flexible ball-joint at the chassis
side. Van Hool has several suppliers for the repair kit of this flexible ball-joint. All of the repair kits
contain a flexible ball-joint, a spacer and a snap ring. Due to not equal thickness of the spacer in
the different kits, it is important to install all three the kit parts when replacing a flexible ball-joint.
Do not mix parts of different repair kits!
Ball-joint repair kit
Application
 Upper control arms of front axle
 All control arms of trailing axle
Lower control arms of front axle

Van Hool reference
10938662
634300770

Figure 1: Control arm end, chassis
side
1.
2.
3.
4.

Flexible ball joint
Control arm
Spacer
Snap ring

Continued on next page.
SB2501_USA_en_2025-07-08

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FLEXIBLE BALL-JOINT REMOVAL PROCEDURE
Step

Action

1

Remove snap ring (4) and spacer (3).

2

NOTE: This is only possible if ball-joint (1) is slightly pressed at the snap ring side
simultaneously.
Press ball-joint (1) out.

FLEXIBLE BALL-JOINT INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
Step
1

2
3

Action
NOTE: The ball-joint must be pressed in dry.
Place the ball-joint of the kit above the eye of the control arm in a way that the bolt
holes in the ball-joint shaft are orientated as shown in figure 1.
Press the ball-joint of the kit into the eye of the control arm.
Install spacer (3) from the kit and snap ring (4) from the kit while keeping the ball-joint
under pressure.
NOTE: The opening of spacer (3) must be orientated in such a way that it comes on
top when the control arm is mounted on the vehicle. The opening in the snap ring
circumference must be orientated opposite to the opening of the spacer (i.e. at the
bottom when the control arm is mounted on the vehicle).

HELP DESK
If there are any questions regarding this subject, please call ABC Customer Care & Parts Source
toll-free for guidance on 1-877-427-7278.

DISCLAIMER
The procedures contained herein are not exclusive. VDL Van Hool cannot possibly know, evaluate,
or advise the transportation industry of all conceivable ways in which a procedure may be
undertaken or of the possible consequences of each such procedure. Other methods may be
equally reasonable or even more effective, depending on the specific circumstances involved.
Each carrier that uses the procedures herein must first thoroughly ensure that neither the safety of
its employees or agents, nor the safety or usefulness of any products, will be jeopardized by any
procedure selected.

Continued on next page.
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INFORMATION HANDLING
Important supplements to and modifications of technical information not yet included
in the manual, are communicated by means of service Bulletins.

VDL VAN HOOL CUSTOMER PORTAL
Consult the customer portal regularly for the latest service documentation. In addition to the
maintenance manual, you will also find the operating manual and the spare parts catalogue of
your vehicle on the customer portal. The customer portal is accessible through
www.vdlvanhool.com/My VDL Van Hool, and only with a code (password) from VDL Van Hool. If
you do not have a password yet, request it by using the link on the VDL Van Hool website.

SB2501_USA_en_2025-07-08

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