I picked up a pair of non-running Tao 110 quads for my grandkids ( a 2012 and a 2016)... after a little bit of effort, I've got both quads to run.. and I must admit, they do run pretty well. But I have two questions / issues I need help with ball joints and starter button:

1.) The 2012 was road hard and put away wet... yes it was ridden by a little boy.. he cracked frame from jumping the quad frequently... plus the bad ball joints are bad. I can weld the frame, no issues there... but the ball joints, are they replaceable? The only thing I can find is a complete a-arm replacement with new ball joint's. To me they look at though they are not replaceable. I put one in my vice, but without a lot of heat I don't think it was going to move. So instead of breaking it, and or buying a replacement a-arm (I'm far too cheap for that)... I pulled the boots, and repacked the ball joints with grease and reinstalled the boots, It's much better than it was. I'm going to replace the boots and service them again. Also I removed the remote shutoff from the quad because I don't have the remote button and didn't want that to become an issue

2.) The 2016 had some issues, (it sat for a long time).... carb was plugged, starter button not making a connection, and the safety switch on the brake was frozen I cleaned the carb (several times), cleaned the starter button connections (tester shows it's now working) replacement safety switch on the way, and I disconnected the tether kill switch. I removed the remote shutoff from the quad because I don't have the remote button. Since the starter button is not working, I can only start the quad by tripping the starter solenoid. I've traced every wire, and was about to set it on fire... I put a jumper between the safety switch wires for the front brake (which I've done many times before) and the starter button worked... it worked for 3-4 start attempts, and now it's not again... I think it's the safety switch giving me fits. A replacement will be at the house in a few days, and I will see if that fixes the situation. Is there any other suggestions... the starter button is driving me crazy. I though about bypassing it, but I need to make it safe for my granddaughter to ride. so the safety items need to be working...

thanks

 

I don't know if the ball joints are replaceable, Yamaha make a few models where you have to buy the A arm as well. If it gets bad, a lower ball joint can pop out, so may be dangerous. Starter lock out circuits can be tricky and I'm not sure you can just take the remote box off without having to jump some of the wires. If there is a working stop light, you can tell if the front brake switch is working by if the light comes on or not.

 

I'm on the hunt for new boots. I think the ball joint was loose just due to lack of grease. Going to replace the boots and repack with grease, while I'm at it, I'll replace the boots on the tie rods too.

The safety switch is driving me crazy... I'll work through it... a new front brake switch will be here in the next few days... Stupid question... I know the front brake need to be pulled for the quad to start, but what about the rear brake? Does it need to be activated too?

 

The new front break safety switch has arrived for Quad #2... I connected the wires and now it starts with the button!!! No more jumping the solenoid.... I can now tie up all of the wires, as I tore the wiring loom apart tracing every wire, put the plastics back on, change the oil and give it a mechanical check over, what a relief. My grand daughter is going to be so excited to ride this in the spring, and I'll be on proud Pap Pap

This quad had been sitting for quite a while, but was in overall pretty good shape, with not very many hours on it. It's issues were no battery, the original brake safety switch was seized closed, (thus not letting the start button to work) the carb was clogged, and the start button was rusted and not making contact. The repairs were to get a new battery, new carb, new start button (I did clean the old one, but it was still not working as it should), and a break safety switch. I only paid $200 for the ATV so I'm fine with the repairs, and with the knowledge of how many smiles and memories this is going to create. I still need to add a tether break away switch, as the original one did not work

Now to order boots for Quad #1. and get it ready too

 

Boots for Quad #1 have been ordered through VMC Chinese Parts. They were the only place I could find what I was looking for.

 

Thanks for letting us know, so many people ask questions and never follow up if they find the answer themselves. Then someone else has the same problem and has to ask again, and so it goes on, with the question never getting answered.

 

I have found that unfortunately the ball joints are not replaceable. I can by new control arms which would include new ball joints, but they would be almost as much as I paid for the machine. The issue I believe is worn ball joint boots. They allowed all the grease to escape and now the joint is loose. I tried repacking the existing boots, yes it made a huge difference, but it's not a permanent solution. I'll replace the boots, and pack with grease. At times I do have to remember these are not high dollar machines and although they are for my grandkids and I want them to be ultra safe, I need to stick to a budget and be frugal when making repairs.