I know that this topic has been raised before but for my sake I need some education. I need to change my tie rod ends and I would like to hear from some of you that have had some good experience with some aftermarket ones. I have a friend who has a 500HO and he had them put 2001 tie rod ends on his and he doesn't have the slop anymore, is this good or is there better ones out there to be had?

Balzak
2000 modded scrambler 400 2x4
more mods than brains I guess.

 

i havent heard anything bad about the new style tie rods from polaris,they are a good type of joint(hiem)this style is used on alot of commercial type machinery..only thing i heard was buy the pieces individually as they charge more for the repair kits,go figure

 

Yes, get the new-style heim-type tie rod ends from Polaris. They will fit right on, except you will have to buy a bolt and washer as the end has only an eye rather than a stud protruding that fits into the eye of the strut. You can save a few $$$ if you buy just the joint, then get the proper sized bolt and locking burr from a parts store (just have them look up the size it takes) or some dealers will just have bins of bolts and can get you the right ones. When you get a kit, they come with the bolts, but charge quite a bit for them.

 

Also, replace the steering shaft bushing with aluminum aftermarket one. My Polaris dealer stocks the aftermarket version.

 

I have replaced the steering post bearing already, with an HPD machined aluminum one. I hope you are talking about the one on the stem. Is there a replacement for that one? I haven't been able to find one for that one.

Thanks for the good info.

Balzak
00 scrambler 400 2x4 HPD loves me (I hope)
92 KAW Ninja 1100

 

EPI makes an upper steering stem bushing that replaces the stock one, it cost about $15 bucks but also includes the lower mount bushing too.

2000 SCRAMBLER 400 2X4

SCRAMDADDY400

 

I just replaced my tie rod ends with the new Heim joint ends and they cleaned up the slop in the steering. It was kind of expensive though, I bought the replacement kits, around $45 a side.

 

I just replace the bottom bushing, not the top. I just got done replacing 4 tie rod ends and the bushing on a friend's sportsman. The bushing cost $35.00, and the tie rod ends were $20.00 a piece. They are the new Heim type. I put them on my scrambler over a year ago and they are still perfect. It made a huge difference on his also.

 

Budzinsk: is the lower ALUMINUM steering shaft bushing a polaris replacment part? I'm from the New Oxford Pa area, I'm not sure my local dealer will stock this item. What dealer in your area has this part in stock, maybe I'll run up there and buy the bushing. My 99 SP has a little play from the bottom factory bushing being worn, tie rod ends are tight, with 650 miles.

 

My dealer is Motorvation on the Carlisle Pike - Rt 11 in Mehanicsburg. It is not a Polaris factoy part - it is an aftermarket part. I believe they went to HPD or some aftermarket company and bought a bunch of them. They are very aware of the problem - they replace several of them a week. Let me know if you need specific directions.