Well a few weeks ago I bent my stock tie rods. I bought some of the beefy solid aluminum ones on ebay. I bent on of them the 2nd time out. I just bought a set of the ASR ones and they are even more beefy and solid steel. Guess what? I bent one this weekend. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] I don’t think it would have bent easy and might have had something to do with rolling down a 80deg 50+ food embankment I was trying to make in the dark. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img] After quite a few rolls and flips through the air it landed on all four but the wheel was a bit tweaked, again. I have the worse luck with tie rods. LOL

A little OT but do many of you use Steering stabilizers for trail ridding and how much do they help? Obviously I hit a lot of ruts and roots where I ride. It may be a bit on the extreme side of trail ridding for a raptor but I like it.

Also my front wheels are flipped so it's wider. I'm thinking about changing them back since I have a hard time clearing some trees. Any thoughts?

PS. Since the Raptor is only 25 - 50lbs heavier than several of the other quads why does it feel like at least 100lbs?

Thanks for any/all advise.

 

Sorry to hear about the tie rod problem! hehe! Even more sorry to hear about the roll...hella sucks man!

I've never used a steering stablizer but I hear they help alot!

It wouldn't hurt to put the wheels back, the front end is wide enough of the Rappys. It's the axle that is way to narrow! Plus since your riding over alot of bumps having the more protection over the disk brakes wouldn't hurt either!

I think they feel heavier because of the size and seat height compaired to the smaller 450 class bikes. That bigger engine really limites the design a little.

Good luck with that Rappy! Hope you don't brake another tie rod! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Thanks but I'm sure I will at this rate, that's why I'm getting extras this time.

The roll was fun and worth it since I didn't get hurt, just a little sore. That's what ridding gear is for and quads are made to roll [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Yeah I think I'm going to put the wheels back, it sucks hitting rocks and trees on trails that other people don’t. It think that is what makes me get stuck more times than not and the mudlites just dig in fast and deep. I'm actually thinking about putting a small winch on the front.?? Comments?

The Raptor feels at least 100lbs heavier than most quads when you are trying to lift the front or back end out of a hole; either that or I need to start working out more/again. Sucks either way.

 

I noticed that the Rappy grab bar sits up so high it's hard to get the right angle on it to lift high easily.

 

Need more input..... Please

 

Usally tie rods bent very easily after wrecks, because the side the the tire/rim is bring pushed to its limit and the tie rod is trying to hold it. For the wieght issue i'm not sure maybe you need to bump up next time you bench? I also can't amagin those Mudlite tires being very light.

 

ahh dude i did the same mistake i fliped my front rims and this guy at the quad shop said the reason your bending tie rods and breaking tie rod ends it because when your going through woods you hit tree you hit ruts on a angle and it screws up your tie rods and that and then flipping it just made it worse so i fliped my rims back in and i havent bendt anything yet


so if i were you i would flip them back in

btw now i have +2 a arm and asr tie rods and stock ends and i havent bent anything latey



and i see u have a l a design one way bearing how hard was that to put in?

 

Guess what kind of tie rods I bought last week and bent last weekend? ASR They are replacing it no questions asked and I'm buying another one for a spare. I'm flipping the wheels back this week.

The one way I just put in last week also. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img] Busy week. It was a piece of cake. Took me maybe an hour. The hardest part is getting the flywheel off. Luckily I have pullers but even with them I had to use a 2ft breaker bar and watch out when it does come off, everything goes flying.

I ended up not needing the OEM 52 tooth gear, mine was perfect so if you do it and need one let me know and I will sell you mine.