I am getting ready to purchase a 500 TRV. As others have noted in this group the only complaint I have about this unit is that it is hard to steer. I really like all other aspects of it besides that. I have test ridden a couple of them and had the same complaint about both. I read about adjusting the alignment. How do you do this? Does it have to be done at a dealer or can it be done at home simply? I kinda want to know what I'm going to encounter before I make the jump.

Thanks,

Steve[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Use a string or a clothe tape measure. Measure the distance between the inside of the front of the front wheels and them the rear of the front wheels. Subtract the front number from the rear number and you have your toe in. I like using the 1/8" number as it lowers steering effort and reduces front tire wear.

 

Thanks, Bear

Can you get accurate enough using this method?? Not questioning you wisdom in this just questioning my ability??

Steve

 

Oh yeah, it gets it close enough and if you want to make it a little more accurate, run a bungee cord or two between the front tires across the front of the tires before measuring (I don't). The factory manual has you clean the machine then center the handle bars and then measure between the inside of the wheels to the frame. But the NASCAR guys use my method and they run a h*ll of a lot faster than we ever will.

 

Thanks a lot for the info. I appreciate it.


Steve

 

This is probably a dumb question, but by checking that way, isn't there a chance of aligning one wheel in more then the other when making an adjustment?

 

Not if you have the handle bars straight and measured each wheel from the frame to make sure they are straight to begin with, that is if the frame isn't warpped. But it requires that you turn the tie rods the same amount when adjusting the toe in.

 

OK what I do is!!!!

Place to Bricks/weights out in front of my atv. Tie a string to one and then walk around the back of the atv wrapping the string around the back tires and then back up front and tie it to the other brick. Adjust the bricks so the string is just touching the front sidewall of the rear tires. Ensure handle bars are straight (have someone sit on quad and hold them straight). Then measure from string to the front of rim (front tire), and then from string to back of front rim. Set to 1/16 toe in on each side and you end up with 1/8 toe in and wheels pointed straight ahead.

 

Go and check out this write up. This guys is really good with arctic cats and this is how he does his.

http://www.highlifter.com/foru..._1/key_/tm.htm#2744668