2002 500i ...had to replace tie rod. The manual says align and lock the handle bars (did it), check to see that both rims are the same distance from the frame and if not adjust tie rods. I did this also but at this point it is very obvious that the tires are not aligned so that the ATV will go straight.

Here is my question....How do you align the rims so that they are pointing straight?? There must be a better way than just eye balling the wheels. It seems I need to do this before I adjust the toe in.

Thanks for any help.

 

Rims are not suppose to be straight. You need at least 1/8" toe in or the machine will steer bad. I don't like measuring from the frame other than to confim that straight is straight (then again frames get bent). I measure the distance between the front edge of the rims and the the rear. The front should be 1/8 to 1/4" less than the rear. On the tie rods, the ends are jam nutted in place. To adjust, you loosen the jam nut(s) and turn the rod or rods until you get the correct measurments. Retighten the jam nuts.

 

Bear, thanks for your response, but I know how to adjust the tie rods and the toe in.

The question is how do I find the STARTING point? Obviously we want the rims pointing straight ahead and not to one side or the other, and THEN we would adjust the toe. How do I insure that the rims are pointing straight to begin with? In other words the rims COULD be adjusted so the that the toe is correct BUT the rims are both pointing off to the left or the right.

Thanks again.

 

Measure off the frame so that each wheel is the same distance, either front or rear, from the frame. That will give you both wheel pionted the same, doesn't matter is each is straight because you need to end up with a toe in. Now adjust for the toe in by moving each tie rod the same amount, say a turn or two at a time until you are close to the 1/8 to 1/4" to in ( I feel the handling is better at 1/8", but everyone has different needs).

 

Use the string method to get to your starting point. Center the handle bars straight, wrap a string around the center of all four tires. From here you can turn the tie rods in or out till you get the same distance from the outside of the tire to the string. once you have the same measurement on both sides just turn each tie rod the same amount of turns till you have the amount of toe in or out that you want. Mine needs about 1/4" toe-in to run smooth and straight. Hope I haven't confused you even more. Try this string method. You"ll learn just by trying to figure out how to do it.

 

Measuring off the tires is the worst way to measure and will probably insure your alignment is off. Tires, and for sure 5 PSI tires, are not square to the wheels usually. Measure off the inside of the wheels for accuracy.

 

Thanks for the responses guys!

Bear, I now understand what you are saying.

I cannot say I understand the string method though. You wrap the string around ALL FOUR tires? Where exactly do you measure the distances from? Camo, can you explain it a different way?...maybe I will get it then.

Also the service manual says 1/4 inch of toe in PER SIDE. Would this mean that the TOTAL distance between the front of the rims would be 1/2 inch less than the distance between the rear of the rims?

Thanks again.

 

A 1/2" of toe in would wear your tires very fast and make steering heavy. My 2001 manual and my 2005 manual both state that toe should be 1/8 to 1/4". If you read the manual again, it says after you make sure the frame to wheel measurments is equal, you then mark the center of each tire and the front measurment must be less than the rear by 1/8 to 1/4".

 

My 02 manual does not say what yours does. It it confusing and says that toe should be 1/4 PER WHEEL....whatever that means. Anyway I set it to 1/2 inch total toe and you are correct. It is hard to steer, although it is now tracking straight. I will set total toe to 1/8 - 1/4 tomorrow and see how is does.

Thanks