Hey,

I was out at an atv rally on Sunday with about 50 ppl. Two guys had KQ 700's with 26" mudlites and both came back after the first day with bent tie rods (1 on the right and the other on the left). 1 guy claims he doesnt know how it happened and the other said he hit a log and popped the front up and when it landed it was done. Just seems to me that its almost like its flawed? I mean 2 tie rods bending in one day. what are the odds. Any of you think Suzuki is gonna be makin a recall or something or maybe they are designed to be weak?

 

I don't think it's a flaw, they are strong enough for the stock tires because I've put 750+miles on mine and they have held up great, I still have the stock tires on it. The tierods from the factory are built to handle the weight of 25" tires and the light aluminum rims that it comes with from the factory, so people that use bigger tires are using them at their own risk of bending the tierod, if I was going to get bigger and more agressive tires I would certainly buy aftermarket tierods that can handle the extra weight and effort in steering the tires.

 

thats bs toyeboy. the stock tie rod ends should be plenty strong enough for bigger tires. seems to me from what ive read the king quad is the only atv having this problem and suzuki needs to adress it.

 

I Beg to differ! I had the same problem with my Rincon,I put 26 Mudlites on,and my tie rods looked like spagetti after a hard weekend in the woods. I have put the same tires on my new King Quad,but I have not experienced any bending action in the "Rods"....stay tuned,for I will be doing some hard riding soon...oh yes, I have bought the stouter tie rods,and will put them on if I find the need. I think its the riding situation rather than the tires.

 

It's certainly not the only quad with weak tierods the BF 750's tierods have been compared to toothpicks! They are weaker than the KQ's!

I'll agree with you that they should be stronger but they are plenty strong for the stock tires in my experiences, I say use the stock tierods with bigger tires at your own risk.

 

I think this is becoming a known flaw with the KQ. A few weekends ago I ran into a guy that had put around 1700 miles on his. Met him in the staging area, and he was there just about every time I was. I asked him how his day had been and he was telling me all about his tie rod problems. Had to use some handy zip ties just to get back to the trailhead. His quad still had the stock tire/wheel combo on it, but it looked like it had been ridden fairly hard also.

 

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Hi Torbin, I did some investigating regarding the tie-rod issue. Suzuki has recognised the problem and they have fixed it by upgrading to a larger diameter tie-rod. Unfortunately for KQ owners it is not covered under warranty but if it were me I'd be upgrading pretty quick even though they cost $50 ea. CAD.
Dave
AKA Traildog</FONT>

 

Traildog - Are we to assume then that all new 2006 KQ's will have the beefier tie rods?

 

I would be surprised if they weren't upgraded but you never know.

 

Good point. Will have to look into the subject. Where did you find talk about Suzuki recognizing a problem and upgrading the tie rods?