Hi,

I have a falcon 110 that seems to have a weird instability in the front end. In the yard it is just fine, but in the woods the front is unstable. For instance, when you hit a rut or bump the front end tracks all weird and feels out of control. It is like it wants to steer in a different direction or something. I think it cambers way in...almost like it needs an upper A-arm which it does not have.

Has anybody else had this problem and know what to do about it? I think the machine is a 2005??

Thanks

Nik

 

is it the whole front end assembly that seems to pitch one way or another when in a bind? just double checking....is the castle nuts on the front spindles intact with a cotter pin holding it in place? that way the wheel bearings don't have that much slack in them? i presume the tie rod ends are in good shape....just a few questions to rule a few items out.

 

I will have to check these things. I think the nuts are on there just fine. What should I look for int he tie rod ends?

I was doing a little reading and it appears that these suffer from a good amount of bump steer. Is that the problem I described? It certainly seemed like it.

Thanks

 

sorry, you'll have to teach me about bump steer. never heard of it! tie rod ends, just make sure the nuts are tightened down on the ball joint and it is seated properly. that's all i could think of. heck, i've seen new chinese quads not have any cotter pins in the castle nuts which were barely started on the spindle! wow, that was scary! ok thanks..

 

I'm no pro either, but apparently bump steer occurs in all or most quads to some extent. It is a steering geometry issue. As I understand it when you go over a bump or hit a crevice the angle of your wheels change in relation to the steering. It does have something to do with the alignment of the tie rod ends and camber/toe of the front end. Basically, your steering gets thrown out of whack and the machine wants to go where it is not supposed to all on its own.

I think that is the problem??? Now just need to know if it can be fixed.

 

well i'm glad i subscribed to this thread as MWQ or LYNN or LT80 or another pro can lend us some wisdom. that way i/we can learn how to fix this debacle!

 

Are single a-arm's used in the front suspension?

 

Yes, single A-arms. I think I've seen later models that use dual A-arms that would keep the camber in check.
Any advice about how to remedy the situation or reduce the effects?
Is this the bump steer I have heard about?
Thanks

 

Yes it's bump steer and single a-arms are the worst for it..

Ive never done anything to make it any better.. but...Starting with everything as aligned as possible would help.. the problem is as the wheel moves up it changes where the wheel is pointed... You may try moving the tie rods up or down by using spacers(washers or larger nuts) to lessen the effect.. Id remove the shocks and support the quad so you can move the wheel up and down and see how it moves the wheel. then see if it would make sense to space the tie rod end location..

 

OK. As i understand it I am supposed to get them as parallel with the A-arms as possible?? right??

Thanks

Nik