OK - I did it. I hit a tree a little too hard and the tie rod bent (a little to easily)
Thanks to my riding buddies we bent it back enough to make it limp home - very weak metal.

I have no idea how to remove and replace them.
Any instructions and help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Gary Mudder

 

JDPerformanceatv.com sells an aftermarket hd tie rod assm. I love these guys, they are really cool. If its like any other tie rod I have replaced you will need to remove cotter pins on the bottom of each nut. Wedge a wrench (maybe 12mm, should be the same size as the nut on bottom) into the joint , right below the rubber boot, and there will be a notched section to hold when you break the nut on the bottom, simply unbolt and remove. You will want to make note of the position or the threads,in reference to the lock nut, maybe count them or paint a mark, to reference. This will effect your alignment. Back out he locking nut and the end it self will need to be broken fom the tie rod itself. One side will be reversed threaded, pay attention to the threads. Basicall reverse these steps and reinstall. Check alignment w/ a tape measure, go ride, dodge trees!
Good Luck
Call up Debbie or Dave at JD and they can walk you through it if you have problems.

 

I don't have much advice, just some encouragement. When my uncle bent his tie rod on his V we were able to take it off with a few basic tools and beat it with a rock to get him back so it shouldn't be too difficult. Good luck...

 

Sandneck covered it... but it's a 17mm wrench, top and bottom. And mine, from the inside of each nut, was spaced at 10 9/16 inches. But read on, before you replace it, look into sleeving it with a pipe of some sort. There's tips all over in here.

 

Thanks-

Got the tie rods from JD - great people

Thanks for the help

 

Just one last question - please

After the cotter pin and 17mm nut removal - does the ball joint just tap right out?
It did not remove easily, and I didn't want to risk damaging the part -

 

Yeah... I just pinned the 17mm under it and pryed it out. No harm done.

 

thankx for all the great information -
I bought a "fork" for automotive ball joint removal and it just popped right out -
just as you said

Thanks again

Gary