How To Identify Bent Frame or A-Arm?

[Fortrex]

My blaster has stock a-arms and I've noticed that one wheel has some negative camber. It is the right side wheel. I know I need a wheel bearing on that side, I have the bearing I have just yet to replace it. There isn't a whole lot of play in it but there is some slight movement. Could that be the cause of the negative camber? Could it be a worn ball joint? Or am I looking at a bent a-arm or a bent frame? Are there any measurements I could take or any specific signs of some bending in the frame or a-arms?

You can't really tell from these pictures, I forgot to get some direct front end pictures to show the camber.

 

[gizzy2014]

stand it up on the rear grab bar, and look at the bottom good around the A-arms, u can tell if its tweaked either direction that way, but i think your camber is probably from the bearing or a bent arm

 

[Fortrex]

This may be a stupid question but when the bike is stood up on the grab bar the gas tank and crank case won't leak will they?

 

[Wifesblaster]

Nope

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[gizzy2014]

This may be a stupid question but when the bike is stood up on the grab bar the gas tank and crank case won't leak will they?

id turn the gas off so it doesn't run out of the carb (i think it would do that..... never tried but i always shut it of when standing up)

 

[jus_me]

Just to add a little. Look closely it may just be a slight kink/bend , use a small strait edge or square if needed..Sometimes the paint will chip where its tweaked. "sometimes"

 

[Durby]

if the carb is stock, I have found that the it will piss all over your foot as soon as stand it up on end. As soon as the carb is empty your all all set, so don't stand it on end over anything that could be ruined by gasoline.

 

[Fortrex]

I turned the petcock off and stood it up, it pissed some gas but not too much.

It seems pretty apparent that it's bent, is it able to be straightened out? Or do I just have to live with it? Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Herpderplol]

Bumper looks bent, i dont see any other bends? Anyone else?

 

[Fortrex]

The two main bars that run along the sides, the one on the left is bent inwards.

 

[bansheedave]

The two main bars that run along the sides, the one on the left is bent inwards.

Agreed. I hit a tree and bent a blaster in the same spot but i bent mine a lot more than that.

 

[Herpderplol]

Yeh, i see it a little now.....

 

[Money pit]

I see the bend too but not sure how bad? Should be able to adjust your tie rod on that side to compensate? Good luck and hope you don't need a new frame!

 

[Awk08]

i've bent to frames in this same spot............

you can adjust the tie rods back to straight alignment, and won't notice much in the dirt.
i'd be keeping an eye out for a cheap, straight frame to paint and start a full rebuild.

 

[bansheedave]

And the size of those dents in the lower frame rails, a skid plate will save a possible case damage in the future.

 

[Fortrex]

What's the best way to mount a skidplate that will still allow me to remove the plug and drain the crank case oil?

The bottom of my crank case is wet and it appears to be slowly leaking oil, as you can see in the lower left hand corner. Would that be a gasket somewhere?

 

[Wifesblaster]

Skid plates have a hole cut in them so you can access the drain plug. Oil could be coming from the clutch cover gasket or the drain plug.

 

[Fortrex]

Is the clutch cover gasket hard to replace?

 

[Wifesblaster]

No


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[Fortrex]

I already had planned on flushing the crank case and re-filling it, so I'll just replace the gasket at the same time.

Thanks for the help everyone!