rear axle alignment

[tbrooks]

I was getting everything buttoned up today and checked my front toe-in. Got that set and ran a 8' level along each side just to see how everything was lining up and something was off. I knew I had the front right so I measured from front rim to rear rim on each side and came up with about an inch difference. Rolled the quad back to rotate the rear end 180 and still same so the axle isn't bent. Also when I installed the axle I made sure both tensioners are the same. Double checked em today and even took the bolts out to verify they were the same length. So do I have a major problem here? Is there another way to check rear axle alignment? I'm not really sure I can adjust that much difference out. It doesn't really want to give. I have new bearings in the swingarm and rear carrier, and I got a new (used) swingarm when I started cause the old one was cracked bad.

 

[Awk08]

my first guess is you have a bent frame
stand it on it's azz and look closely where the frame starts to widen, right behind the lower rear a-arm mount.


these are cheap and easy insurance for adjusting your chain/carrier correctly....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chain-Align...parel_Merchandise&hash=item5b00479c18&vxp=mtr

 

[Bluesman]

Measure from the lower ball joint to the foot peg on each side. If that's the same, measure from the axle to the foot peg on each side.

 

[Fast6hand]

I agree with AWK. I fought it forever until I realized my frame was bent, right behind where lower a-arms are. So I got a new frame. FIXED.

 

[tbrooks]

Yeah I think that's what it is. I went back over after I posted and was looking at it and by looking at the heel guards and pegs the rear looks straight. When I got the quad the left lower a arm had a big dent in it, but I never thought about it much... I hadn't even considered the front being what was off. Well there is no way I'm tearing this back down now to put a new frame in At least not right now. I'll prob wait til I can get a frame and aftermarket a-arms and get it all pcd. As for riding I'm guessing its gonna wanna pull left. Can I just adjust the toe-in to compensate and go with it for now? I hope so its not been a good day for me

 

[Awk08]

yep, adjust the tie rod so both wheels are straight, won't be very noticable on dirt

 

[Blaaster]

It may be advisable to adjust the toe so that it it toes in some.

When you sit the bike it is going to make it toe out and accentuate bump steer.

If you are going to be doing a lot of jumping, then definatley toe it in some, as on landing the wheels toe out quite a bit and can make for adrenaline steering?

Lift the bike up by the bumper, notice what the wheels do, then push the bumper as far down as you can, see how much movement is with the wheels, they will toe out a lot, not a good thing when landing a jump.

 

[BlasterFun484]

Dude same thing happened to me last year, didnt notice it till i threw nerfs on, right side front wheel would rub it on sharp turns, stood it up n totsly noticable. Threw +3+1 a-arms on and adjusted rides straight now, not swappin frames now after all iv done, in future rebuild i will get a titled gusseted pc'd frame for a full rebuild but not right now lol

 

[sjwh]

Check the holes in your frame where the swingarm bolt goes through, these holes sometimes wear and become oval which throws the swingarm alignment out, which also throws the axle alignment out.

 

[tbrooks]

Thanks, but it was definitely the front. I haven't got my rear grab bar yet to stand it up, but the difference at the nerfs is easily visible, especially when turning. Rides good though, even on pavement. Of course I'm not that experienced, but it works good for me!!