'95 Warrior - TIE ROD Adjustment - Need Advice!!!

[MikeB82781]

My '95 Warrior's been pulling to the right, ever since I got it. I replaced the handlebars to make sure they're straight, and now I'm realizing that the right-hand front tire is slightly angled out (towards the right). Same problem with the left-hand-side front tire - it seems to be angled a bit in the opposite direction (to the LEFT)!

Regardless, it's pulling to the RIGHT, and I'd like to fix it (but apparently it's easier said than done!)...

I un-bolted the "lower"/"outer" right-hand tie-rod bolt (the one closest to the tire), and the tire rod slipped right out. However, after taking the cotter pin out of the "UPPER"/"INNER" right-hand tie-rod bolt (which connects it to the steering column), the bolt unscrewed but not completely... In other words, it came 90% off the thread (or appeared to), and then just seemed to spin freely, but the tie-rod would NOT come off!

Can anyone offer me any advice on how to properly remove the tie rods and then adjust them? Is there some "special" procedure for removing the UPPER/INNER tie-rod bolts (as in, the ones an inch or two out from the actual steering column)? Again, I DID remember to remove the cotter pin... Maybe the upper bolt is just stuck/snagged on something? Or am I forgetting something important?

Once I remove the tie rod(s), what's the proper way to extend and/or shorten them?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I can provide pics if any of the parts I describe above are unclear!

Cheers,
Mike

[Speedy2222]

you don't have to remove them.. loosen the 2 jam nuts on the tire rod.. put a wrench on the "crease" on the tie rod and turn it

[MikeB82781]

Thanks, Speedy...

I understand what you mean by the "crease" in the tie rod, but which are the bolts are you referring to?

(The link below has a bunch of pictures of the quad, rear axle, tie rods, etc... and I'll be adding even more soon!)

Everyone - if you have a few minutes, check out my pictures if you'd like! :

My Warrior pictures from extreme sports photos on webshots

One of the other million dollar questions I'm trying to answer - What is the MODEL YEAR of my Warrior?!?!

As you can see in some of the pictures, the frame has been re-painted - so maybe the VIN# was just painted over... But unless it has an extra five coats of paint, wouldn't I be able to see the VIN even AFTER a paint job???

Anyways, enjoy the pictures, and if anyone can determine the model year by just looking at the shots, PLEASE let me know (it's supposedly a '95, but I suspect it's newer!)!!!

Cheers,
-Mike

[Kevin R.]

Your tie rod is the outer parts of the link. Then you have a large nuts that "jams" the adjusting sleeve from moving on it's own. Take those nuts loose and it should move the adjusting sleeve, baring it's not frozen or seized with rust. Make your adjustment and tighten the jam nut's back down. As far as the vin, Mines a '97 and it's on the lower frame rail under the engine, I want to say on the left side under the stator area. If the paint was put on thick, yes it could cover the vin up.

[MikeB82781]

Thank you guys for the advice.

I'm gonna go take another stab at it and hopefully I'll get the tie rods adjusted (AND the rear axle hub - and tires - tightened as they should be... I asked about this in a different post last night)...

I'm almost positive the nuts on the tie rods are gonna be a b1tch to unscrew because they've been painted over and are likely seized. Any advice on getting them un-seized?

Thanks again!

Cheers,
-Mike

[Kevin R.]

A good wrench and a long cheater pipe.

[MikeB82781]

Thanks, Kevin - I'll give that a shot later on...


Time to go do the whole 9 - 5 thing... Maybe I can sneak away during lunch to come home and work on the quad! : )

Cheers,
Mike