Hello everyone,

I own a 2006 Trailblazer with probably 30 very easy hours on it. I noticed that the handlebars are pointed to the left slightly when I am driving in a perfectly straight line. Is there anyway I can adjust it so my bars are perfectly straight when I am going in a straight line. Is it alignment related like it would be in a car? If is only slightly off but I am neurotic about every little detail in regards to my machines. Thanks in advance. Jerry Powers

 

"Is it alignment related like it would be in a car?"

Yep, your on it.

I don't own a trailblazer so I don't know if it is a front steer or not. But here is what you need to do.
This is going to be hard to explain in type.

Get the bars straight. Now measure across the tires in the front. Do the same in the back. You just measured the "toe". The two measurements should be about the same. The trick is to adjust both of the tie rods at the same time and get a straight up measurement (both the same). Stand in front of the machine and check it out. With the bars straight ahead both tires should point straight ahead. If not adjust them so they do.
You have to adjust both rods. If you try to take it up on one rod your toe will be off.

 

Toe is set by factory 1/16 to 1/8 in out. gets a little better bite that way. Hope this helps

 

Ive always had luck using the owners manual, which has the task for adjusting correct toe out. Docturbo is correct about getting your handlebars adjusted straight and NCriderforks is correct also about the toe out. Hopefully you have an owners manual to look at. Ive had to align several of my Polaris's using their parameters stated in the manual. Its relatively an easy task. Good luck.

 

Yeah, that’s the procedure but I find it easier to measure between the brake rotors. You pretty much have to have the tires off to adjust the tie rods anyway.

Jack the front end up, lock the brakes, remove the tires and straighten the bars. Put a mark on the front edge of each brake rotor about level with the stub axle. Hook a tape measure on the mark on one rotor and measure to the outside of the other mark. Write this dimension down. Now hook your tape on the back of one brake rotor right under the caliper and measure over to the other rotor at the same spot. Write this dimension down. These are your “factory specs.” Your measurement at the front of the rotors will be larger than at the rear of the rotors. This is because it’s toed out, as it should be. Whatever changes you make by adjusting the tie rods you will need to make sure these dimensions are the same when you are finished as when you started. If you lengthen the left tie rod the same distance that you shorten the right tie rod this will turn the bars to the right and your alignment specs will stay the same. Like Doc said, it’s a bit hard to describe in text.

 

These are all correct and helpful, here's one more tip. Take two tie down straps and put one on the end of each side of the handle bars. Then take the other ends and attach them to your back rack or back bumper or something back there. sit on the machine and adjust your bars to the straight position you desire. Now proceed with the alignment. This will prevent your bars from moving during the process. They should be straight when you are done.