New here,,,just picked up a 2000 sportsman 500 and it needs front end work i noticed the tie rod ends have lots of play on both sides and the bottom of the steering stem looks like a rivet is missing and is all sloppy in there ...I have read that some have taken the rivets out and replaced them with nuts and bolts I like this idea and would like more suggestions on how to do this also is it hard to replace the tie rods any tips? do they make a beefier tie rod and or a stabilizer like a truck so this wont happen again in the near future after i get this done,,,thanks

 

the tie rod ends aren't hard to replace, just take the tires off and then unbolt the tie rods from the steering head, i would also mark where ur old tie rod ends were on the tie rod, so u can see for ur alignment. it'll save u a lot of time. as for bigger tie rods or stablizer and the steering head rivets, i'm not sure about.

 

I replaced my lower steering bushing with an aluminum one, you gotta drill out the rivet holes a little to fit the bolts in there, but a long bit made the job fairly easy(I went down through the top). Got mine here... A little pricey, but you wont have to worry about it again.

http://www.aaenperformance.com/Acces_P3.asp

 

I will call tomorrow but this will fit the sportsman 500?? it sure looks like what they should of been in the first place thanks!!! and the bearings that go with it should those be easy to find also like at a dealer??

 

Hey Krammer...., Do you ride at Wayne? I am going down this Sat. Want to go? I am in Gahanna!