I will split this into two topics, Flat tire and the loose A arm I found today.

Headed out for what I hoped for to be a long days ride but 12 miles into it while cruseing a rough road with bowling ball size gravel I nailed one and and put a nice 3/4 inch cut in the sidewall of the rear tire right above the "dirt hooks" name and dented my rim. Ended up rideing the 12 miles back on a flat tire,(nice melted rubber smell) I always get flats with my ATV's but never on my XR's Is it just me or is this common for ATV's? can the sidewall be plugged and fixed? Are the titan tires better gaurded agenst flats?

When I got home I put the quad up on blocks and pulled the tire off and I decided to check out the odd clunk I have been hearing when on rough terrain ever since the quad was new. Found that the drivers side (sounds funny when talking ATV's) top A arm is loose and that I can push the top of the tire in towards the radiator drain about 2 inches. the nut seems to be tight, is there a bushing in there or something worn out? This is the same wheel that the lugs were left finger tight when I picked the quad up and the tire fell off on my frist ride... Gerr- what should I have replaced when I take it back for my last months warrenty checkup?
thanks, Joe

 

Your tire fell off on your first ride??!?!?!?
Wait, was this a Honda or a Polaris?

Well I know the titans are much stronger tires then the stock dirt-hooks, those tires really suck, two ply, and very cheap. I cant wait to get all 4 titans on my rancher, then i'll be set.

Later

 

Go to a local tire shop and see what they can do. I've heard of some procedure where they take a piece of rubber and melt it onto the sidewall. I don't know how well it works or anything since I've never had it done but I imagine it holds up pretty good. Take off your upper A-Arm and look at the bushings and the holes in it where the bolt goes through. If it's at all out of round junk it and buy a new one, you're better off. Some dealers are sometimes really good about helping you with a problem even after the warrenty is up. I know my friend bought a quad and the dealer helped him split the cost on parts because they get all his business. If the warrenty isnt up have them replace it. Good luck!

 

Havent bothered with the tire yet, but I tried to take to A arm off, but the nut is stripped out (most likley never was tightened because the factory stripped the threads) and will not even back off. all the nuts on the upper and lower a arm have rounded edges on them like someone used a to large of socked on them..... The thing bothering me is it seems as if the hole drilled in the actual frame mount has been ovaled out from the looseness of the A arm bolt and A arm pounding it to death, but I cannot make sure since I cant get the nut off. How large is the hole normaly?
Joe

 

I can't tell you how large it is normaly, maybe check the one on the other side if that one isn't loose. I'd say your best bet is to check and make sure that the hold isn't out of round. If it is you might have to tourch off the brackets and either fabricate or buy new ones (if ya can) and just weld them on. I would tourch the bolt and buy a new one, it'll save you a lot of greif and fustration. If you have the skills and time to fabricate a new one why not make it thicker then stock or use a high grade metal?

 

its only 5.3 months old, so I will waste another weekend of perfect rideing conditions and take it to the dealer where I will let them do the work and demmand to see the hole as im sure 250 miles of use would round out the hole.