Hello, i'm new to this forum...i'm having a problem that my polaris dealer can't seem to figure out.... so i'm hoping someone here could help out. .....here is my problem:

i have 99 sportsman 500 1590 miles on ( i take very good care of it)

i put new Mud Runner tires on it last summer...i replaced the front tie rod ends, on bothsides. now i noticed that the right tie rod end is rubbing against the tire...the rubber boot is now busted and filled with dirt. i checked the left side and i have a good 1/2 inch between the tire and rod end. i took the front right tire off...nothing broke or bent....took it to my polaris dealer told him "what ever the problem fix it cause i can't find anything wrong"....just got off the phone and was told THEY can't find anything wrong..... anything! including the bearings.
i was told that, that is because the tire is a little wider than the stock tire... why doesn't the left rub then? doesn't sound right to me.

my next step is to put longer lug posts on and make spacers for behind the tire, to bump it out 1/4 to a 1/2 inch...that is unless some of you kind fellows have any suggestions. it's getting nice in PA and i need to get out in the woods!!

any replies would help.................thanks vinnieg

 

I'm currently working on a guys 97 500 and noticed the same thing one of his front tires rub the tierod and the other don't. His rubs on the left side while setting on the atv.

 

my xplore does same thing with right front tire, I have titan 589. I think the arm that holds tie rod end is longer on one side than the opposite side. I was thinking of getting wheel spacers or adding lift because top of my tires are tilting in a little. Aftermarket rims with different offset might help to.

 

i would have to definantly say get 1' wheel spacer.i have them on mine, and just becasue it looks to you as the tie rods and tire are not rubbing, you CAN'T watch it while driving. they will give just a little bit on the rite kind of bump or turn sometimes, therefore you will never know it. just get you a pair, they will fix your problem i do believe. PB500

 

the way the tierods are attached to the steerin column you have to adjust one tighter than the other one thus making one longer than the other...i belive that polaris knew this and produced a set left and right tierod but then a few mistakes like puttin tha wrong one on tha wrong spot kinda thing...thats wat i have read...

 

my explorer and sportsman both have the same problem but both on the right front side.....im going with wheel spacers all the way around

 

If I remember correctly the inner tie rods are stacked one on top of the other and attach to the steering stem with one bolt, therefore the right tie rod assy sets higher than the left at the strut also putting it closer to the tire.

 

You can take your tierods out turn them upside down and put the nut on top this should cause the rubbing to stop.

 

thanks everyone for your replies. i will be working on it this friday...i will use all replies and post what my final solution was to the problem. very good points made. hope this works out cause i want to be out riding by sunday 9am!!!

 

Sportsman70003 was right. I was looking thru my clymers xplorer manual and it showed tie rod ends mounted upside down behind tires. my tie rods were replaced by previous owner and are mounted on top, have to change them.