Flipping Tie Rod End's. (Polaris Sportsman)
 

So I broke down today and bought a new set of tires for my ATV and when I put them on my bike the front tie rod ends were rubbing. So I decided to post a "How-to" with a few pictures on " Flipping Tie Rod Ends".

My machine is a 2005 Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. and I put ITP Mud Lites XL's 26x9.00-12 on the stock rims.



Here's a few pictures of how tight the tie rod ends were rubbing...

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First thing I did was to remove the front tire to gain access to the tie rod.

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I removed the cotter pin and unbolted the tie rod and pulled the bolt out of the steering knuckle. I then placed the bolt back into the steering nuckle and lowered the tie rod end to the underneath side of the steering knuckle and placed it back onto the bolt using a washer on each side of the tie rod end.


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Bolt the entire thing back together and finnish it all off with replacing the cotter pin.

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Now you can see how much clearance this gave me!

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I hope this post helps if your going to flip your Tie Rod Ends!

Thanks
PolarisRich

When I tried that out I had binding in the steering. Glad it worked for you.

I kind of thought that might have been a problem so I used a file and rounded off the corner of the steering knuckle untill the rubber boot on the tie rod end stopped rubbing. You can kind of see it on the last photo that I posted.

Don't forget to add that you will need to lengthen the tie rod adjustments to compensate for the difference in lenght from the top to the bottom mount..granted it is not much but it does make a difference.

Actually You just needed to state that you have done this in another thread...LOL good info.

Thanks Wolfjon
I guess I missed saying that in this thread. So you will need to do a wheel alignment after moving the tie rod ends.
Check out my other thread on wheel alignment here.....
http://forums.atvconnection.com/tech...alignment.html

It's actually easier than it looks and it only takes a few minutes. As wolfjon states " It does make a differance!"

Its funny cause I had removed my tie rod one time and when I reinstalled it I installed it on the bottom. It ended up tearing the tie rod boot on the bracket.

Not a good idea to flip tie rod ends! I've had people do this in the past and all it does is add extra strain on the system and wear out the ends quicker as well as what Moose said,had some that would bind up.Plus all you need to do a front end alignment is a simple straight edge,metal or wood stud or even a straight 1x4. We used a metal stud,had one guy hold the bars straight and only took a couple minutes to do the toe out on both tires.