[Swelden1]

Morning all! New to the forum and tried searching for a remedy with no luck so I thought I'd throw out the situation. A couple of days ago the kids and I were out riding and my 2003 TRX350TE Rancher took a pretty hard impact on the right front tire. Subsequently the handlebars and front tires are now off about 15 degrees. I have the entire front end torn down, removed tie rods and there is no visible damage. I'm open to any suggestion? And curious if it is possible to bend the steering shaft? And if so how is that corrected? Thanks in advance I look forward to reading your comments.

 

[Swelden1]

A picture of the upper tie rod

 

[retro]

The impact may have twisted the steering shaft splines inside the steering link, or more. You'll probably have to disassemble everything to find it.

 

[Swelden1]

I've done everything except pull the shaft and it's all intact and correct, I guess it's time to pull the shaft and take a look.

 

[SamUK]

Sounds silly... Did you measure the track rods (steering arms) from centre of ball joint to centre of ball joint? It's very easy to stretch the threads on these, 15 degrees would be a lot but there's always a possibility.

 

[Swelden1]

That I have not done, I appreciate the info I'll check it out. Thank you

 

[Melatv]

Hi: If your handle bars are straight -- look at the red and green lines -- that would indicate that the steering arm could be the problem.

 

[rustneversleeps]

My 13 420 IRS pulls to the right after a pot hole incident and It starting to be a PITA.
Going slow hardly notice go fast 82KmHr have to fight with it to keep it straight...
Wheels seems to be straight standing still as far as i can see, but the handle bars are more angle to the left..
Might have the same problem as you...
Any updates..

 

[Melatv]

My 13 420 IRS pulls to the right after a pot hole incident and It starting to be a PITA.
Going slow hardly notice go fast 82KmHr have to fight with it to keep it straight...
Wheels seems to be straight standing still as far as i can see, but the handle bars are more angle to the left..
Might have the same problem as you...
Any updates..

Hi: Tire Alignment

Make use your tires are pump up to the right pressure and on level ground.
Use a board with a good straight edge that will reach from the rear of the rear tire all the way to the front of the front.
Place the board across the center of the rear tire so it is touching each face of the rear tire (2 people would make is easier)
Go to the front tire and measure off the board to face side of the tire facing you, measure off each face of that tire. You should have 3/8 to 7/16-inch toe out.
Then check the other side. If not the same take a good look at the tie rods for being damaged. Then adjust the tie rods to get the proper alignment.

 

[rustneversleeps]

My 13 420 IRS pulls to the right after a pot hole incident and It starting to be a PITA.
Going slow hardly notice go fast 82KmHr have to fight with it to keep it straight...
Wheels seems to be straight standing still as far as i can see, but the handle bars are more angle to the left..
Might have the same problem as you...
Any updates..

Hi: Tire Alignment

Make use your tires are pump up to the right pressure and on level ground.
Use a board with a good straight edge that will reach from the rear of the rear tire all the way to the front of the front.
Place the board across the center of the rear tire so it is touching each face of the rear tire (2 people would make is easier)
Go to the front tire and measure off the board to face side of the tire facing you, measure off each face of that tire. You should have 3/8 to 7/16-inch toe out.
Then check the other side. If not the same take a good look at the tie rods for being damaged. Then adjust the tie rods to get the proper alignment.

thank for the info neat little trick,I'll check that out ..
Also when both front wheels are off the ground a have play up near my power steering were the 2 upper tie rods connect to .One wheel has more play then the other,but wonder if it would be in the power steering shaft...Dunno just your typical backyard mechanic..
I'm thinking upper tie rod...I'll look some see what i find..

 

[Swelden1]

If you notice in the picture I posted the upper steering arm is of center. I took the pic with the handle bars straight. I adjusted the tie rods to properly align the wheels but that only corrects the steering and the right side is considerably longer (tie rod) than the left. All that said, there really isn't anything wrong with the way it drives I would just like to know where the discrepancy in the steering arm came from.

 

[Melatv]

If you notice in the picture I posted the upper steering arm is of center. I took the pic with the handle bars straight. I adjusted the tie rods to properly align the wheels but that only corrects the steering and the right side is considerably longer (tie rod) than the left. All that said, there really isn't anything wrong with the way it drives I would just like to know where the discrepancy in the steering arm came from.

Picture -- two yellow dots are the steering stops that lets the bike only turn so far left or right. The steering arm has moved from the impact -- you have to remove the steering arm and find the problem. Or leave it that way -- but your bike will not turn the same distance left and right. The tie rod lengths are different because you adjusted them to compensate for the movement of the steering arm on the steering shaft.

 

[rustneversleeps]

If you notice in the picture I posted the upper steering arm is of center. I took the pic with the handle bars straight. I adjusted the tie rods to properly align the wheels but that only corrects the steering and the right side is considerably longer (tie rod) than the left. All that said, there really isn't anything wrong with the way it drives I would just like to know where the discrepancy in the steering arm came from.

Picture -- two yellow dots are the steering stops that lets the bike only turn so far left or right. The steering arm has moved from the impact -- you have to remove the steering arm and find the problem. Or leave it that way -- but your bike will not turn the same distance left and right. The tie rod lengths are different because you adjusted them to compensate for the movement of the steering arm on the steering shaft.

if and when i check mine and it might look like the pic Swed put up do i just have to remove the bolt and remove that plate the holds the inner tie rods and set it straight..is there splines in the shaft..
rather then adjusting the rod ends...

 

[Melatv]

If you notice in the picture I posted the upper steering arm is of center. I took the pic with the handle bars straight. I adjusted the tie rods to properly align the wheels but that only corrects the steering and the right side is considerably longer (tie rod) than the left. All that said, there really isn't anything wrong with the way it drives I would just like to know where the discrepancy in the steering arm came from.

Picture -- two yellow dots are the steering stops that lets the bike only turn so far left or right. The steering arm has moved from the impact -- you have to remove the steering arm and find the problem. Or leave it that way -- but your bike will not turn the same distance left and right. The tie rod lengths are different because you adjusted them to compensate for the movement of the steering arm on the steering shaft.

if and when i check mine and it might look like the pic Swed put up do i just have to remove the bolt and remove that plate the holds the inner tie rods and set it straight..is there splines in the shaft..
rather then adjusting the rod ends...

There is a nut and cotter pin to be removed. You will have to remove a lot, just to get at it. Best you look in the service manual. Use a inspection mirror to check it.

 

[rustneversleeps]

Picture -- two yellow dots are the steering stops that lets the bike only turn so far left or right. The steering arm has moved from the impact -- you have to remove the steering arm and find the problem. Or leave it that way -- but your bike will not turn the same distance left and right. The tie rod lengths are different because you adjusted them to compensate for the movement of the steering arm on the steering shaft.

if and when i check mine and it might look like the pic Swed put up do i just have to remove the bolt and remove that plate the holds the inner tie rods and set it straight..is there splines in the shaft..
rather then adjusting the rod ends...

There is a nut and cotter pin to be removed. You will have to remove a lot, just to get at it. Best you look in the service manual. Use a inspection mirror to check it.

Sorry no service manual any link for 2013 420PG manual.....been looking but couldn't find anything....Since i still have extended warranty till Oct/10/17 maybe i should get Honda to check and they love taking peoples money....lol do know if that would be under warranty...
thanks Neighbor..

 

[retro]

Sorry no service manual any link for 2013 420PG manual.....been looking but couldn't find anything....

If my memory serves, the 2014 Ranchers were nearly identical to the 2013...? If so, the 2014 FSM should have pretty reliable info?

 

[rustneversleeps]

Sorry no service manual any link for 2013 420PG manual.....been looking but couldn't find anything....

If my memory serves, the 2014 Ranchers were nearly identical to the 2013...? If so, the 2014 FSM should have pretty reliable info?

I think the only difference is the body & chassis...i here my 2013 was the last of the small frame "chassis"....

 

[retro]

Sorry no service manual any link for 2013 420PG manual.....been looking but couldn't find anything....

If my memory serves, the 2014 Ranchers were nearly identical to the 2013...? If so, the 2014 FSM should have pretty reliable info?

I think the only difference is the body & chassis...i here my 2013 was the last of the small frame "chassis"....

In that case I got it all wrong... was it 2011-12 that were nearly the same?

 

[rustneversleeps]

does that google search have the manual for 2011-12 closes to 2013...
It also seems like 2013 didn't exist was it Canadian year model only, since it's TRX420PG Canadian Trail Edition.....lol

Another quick question was the GPS only offer in 2013...
thank in advance...

 

[retro]

I don't know much about GPS on the Ranchers. Foremans offered first I think, but I can't remember when that was either...