[enykamp]

I'm not too familiar with the names of these parts so i'll do my best to explain it...There are two little knuckles where the steering comes down into the front end, the control arm came off one side so the wheel and tire swings free..is that joint a press fit back onto the ball?? I've got another four wheeler for parts I just need to know the basics on replacing it, I can' t figure out how why it fell off or even what holds it on the ball in the first place. now when you turn the handle bars it turns the one side but the other side isnt' attached to the steering anymore....

rookie questions I know but if I could fix it myself instead of spending money that would be great....

 

[Fourtrax]

Welcome to the forums! What exactly are we working on here? Either way should be a ball joint consisting of a ball on the steering knuckle and a tie rod end that snaps over the ball. When they get worn out they can pop off, I'd imainge replacing at lest both on that side if not all of them. Someone else may have some more ideas, but we need to know what your working with.

 

[Helmut]

I'm not too familiar with the names of these parts so i'll do my best to explain it...There are two little knuckles where the steering comes down into the front end, the control arm came off one side so the wheel and tire swings free..is that joint a press fit back onto the ball?? I've got another four wheeler for parts I just need to know the basics on replacing it, I can' t figure out how why it fell off or even what holds it on the ball in the first place. now when you turn the handle bars it turns the one side but the other side isnt' attached to the steering anymore....

rookie questions I know but if I could fix it myself instead of spending money that would be great....

Sounds like one of your tie rod ends came apart. You can't press it back onto the ball. It won't stay. The socket has become worn and it popped apart. You will have to replace the whole tie rod end. They just screw off the tie rod. They have a lock nut that has to be loosened and then screw the end off. You'll have to unbolt the stud part that popped out of the socket, from the spindle assembly.

 

[Billy250X]

Agree^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!!!

 

[Helmut]

When you change that tie rod end, be sure to count the exposed threads before you screw it off. When screwing it on, leave the same amount of threads exposed. If you don't, the wheel alignment will be off.

 

[Billy250X]

If it does go out of alignment just take a tape measure and make sure from the outside to outside of the wheels is the same on the front and back.

 

[enykamp]

Thanks guys you answered my questions. As to counting the exposed threads, too late for that lol...It was the tie rod end that came off, I think i'll be able to do it now that ya'll have gave me these good answers. Any idea on price for doing all four up front? I"ve got a parts bike I can rob them from but chances are they are well worn on that one too so getting new parts may be the best option..

 

[Helmut]

I believe the tie rod ends for a Honda utility are about $10-$12 a piece. So you're looking at about $40-$50. That's dealer price. For something like a 300EX or a 400EX, they're around $45 a piece, dealer price.

 

[enykamp]

I've got a '04 foreman so it sounds like its gonna be pretty cheap...Once again, thanks for the replies.

 

[Helmut]

No problem. Glad to help.