Front end alignment? - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

diesel4wd · 02-12-2007, 02:47 PM

I have a 06 500 Foreman, recently this weekend after letting someone else ride my 4wheeler while i followed them i noticed that my front left tire is toed out a good bit. Ive also noticed uneven wear on this tire so this must be the cause. I pretty much understand how to adjust the toe in and out. But the where to measure to and from, im confused. Could someone help me out or point to a guide? Should they be toed in or out? or at zero?
thanks!
-sam

Honda Mechanic · 02-12-2007, 04:17 PM

Here's a page from the TRX500FE/FM/TM PDF shop manual ..

<a href="http://img236.imageshack.us/my.php?image=500toeit3.jpg" target="_blank">http://img236.imageshack.us/my.php?image=500toeit3.jpg</a>

joecamel · 02-12-2007, 10:42 PM

the official instructions looked a little difficult or didnt understand, maybe too many buds. anyhow i eyeballed the alignment when i did mine and didnt have any problems.

big_daddy_bigfoot · 02-13-2007, 12:05 AM

Is this really a big deal or is it just something that bugs you guys or what?

diesel4wd · 02-13-2007, 06:06 AM

well i believe that my left is toed out waaaaaaaay to much. thus the uneven tire wear ive noticed. just wondering if there was a technique i could use to correctly set my toe. but i dont have a toe gauge like the honda instructions call for.

shooterman · 02-13-2007, 06:29 AM

there is something about the honda method of alignment that i have never liked and it is in reference to the front adjustment in relation to the rear tires. it is possible to misalign them. i use another system that requires no special tools. tie a string to 2 jack stands and place them a couple feet behind the atv. run the string forward and tie them off to 2 more jack stands or other suitable objects. the point is that the string must be taut. the string will be against the rear most rear tire sidewall. adjust the front stands so that the string just touches the forward part of the rear tire sidewall. this references the rear tires. with a tape measure you can now measure the distance from the string to the front and rear sidewalls on the front tires. i'm sorry if my explanation is not clear but once you try this system you can see how simple it is and actually allows 2 people to check alignment w/o any jackstands, simply holding the string.

Grtwhthntr · 02-13-2007, 08:26 AM

An easy way to check the front alignment is to set the quad on level ground and ensure the wheels are as straight as possible. Then make a mark at centre of the front of both tires with a grease pencil or similar(I usually take a knife a scrape a line through the grease mark for accuracy). Measure between these two marks. Then roll the quad back until the marks are at the rear of the tires(will have to go just below centre because of the frame) and take a measurement there. Adjust your toe-in until the measurements are the same. I set mine at zero and have had no problems.

C-SC · 02-14-2007, 12:42 PM

Hi

Why mark the tires when you could measure from the inner side of the rims, front and back without moving the ATV.....
I think.....

diesel4wd · 02-14-2007, 02:43 PM

yea could i just measure from the inside of the rims? seems more accurate. I attempted this yesterday but i couldnt get the inside lock nuts loose on the tie rod. are they threaded opposite?

joecamel · 02-14-2007, 02:58 PM

they are regular threaded. they just real difficult to break loose. i tried heat and everything i could think of. just brute strength.

i know a month or so ago someone was talking about a special ratchet or something made that works well. maybe someone will pipe in and say something.

02-12-2007, 02:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
diesel4wd Honda Rider Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: TN Posts: 42	Front end alignment? I have a 06 500 Foreman, recently this weekend after letting someone else ride my 4wheeler while i followed them i noticed that my front left tire is toed out a good bit. Ive also noticed uneven wear on this tire so this must be the cause. I pretty much understand how to adjust the toe in and out. But the where to measure to and from, im confused. Could someone help me out or point to a guide? Should they be toed in or out? or at zero? thanks! -sam __________________ 06 4x4 500 Foreman, 26" Swampwitches, Uni Filter, Venom 3000 winch, HMF Utility

02-12-2007, 10:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
joecamel Honda Lover Join Date: May 2006 Location: london, ky Posts: 471	the official instructions looked a little difficult or didnt understand, maybe too many buds. anyhow i eyeballed the alignment when i did mine and didnt have any problems. __________________ PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT 05 foreman 500s 27" bi/tri's on black type 7's warn 3.0 HMF utility dynojet K&N ap skidplates extreme audio pipe

02-13-2007, 12:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
big_daddy_bigfoot Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rushville, Illinois Posts: 1,611	Is this really a big deal or is it just something that bugs you guys or what? __________________ 2005 500 ES K&N + pre filter Jetted Hmf piped Highlifter springed Highlifter boot guarded Prefex long traveled Itp type 7 blackouted Itp 27 Mudlited Carb vent modded Kimpex rear bumpered 3000 lbs Gorilla winched Roped w/custom rope stopper Audio piped and Ipoded.

02-13-2007, 06:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
diesel4wd Honda Rider Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: TN Posts: 42	well i believe that my left is toed out waaaaaaaay to much. thus the uneven tire wear ive noticed. just wondering if there was a technique i could use to correctly set my toe. but i dont have a toe gauge like the honda instructions call for. __________________ 06 4x4 500 Foreman, 26" Swampwitches, Uni Filter, Venom 3000 winch, HMF Utility

02-13-2007, 08:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
Grtwhthntr Honda Addict Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brandon, Manitoba Posts: 158	An easy way to check the front alignment is to set the quad on level ground and ensure the wheels are as straight as possible. Then make a mark at centre of the front of both tires with a grease pencil or similar(I usually take a knife a scrape a line through the grease mark for accuracy). Measure between these two marks. Then roll the quad back until the marks are at the rear of the tires(will have to go just below centre because of the frame) and take a measurement there. Adjust your toe-in until the measurements are the same. I set mine at zero and have had no problems. __________________ '06 Honda Foreman 500 27" Mudlites w/ITP rims 25" Bighorns stock rims 27" Outlaws w/ITP rims HMF pipe K&N filter/rejetted Iridium plug Detroit Gearless Locker TJD Cattracks Warn front bumper, 2.5 Warn Winch W/Amsteel Front and rear boxes w/driving lights, brake and b/u lights Moose Handwarmers 60C GPS Full skid w/front boot guards Gorilla Axles '06 Rubicon CTE mostly stock except for winch and tires/rims '98 Foreman 400, spare

02-12-2007, 04:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Honda Mechanic Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,229	Here's a page from the TRX500FE/FM/TM PDF shop manual .. <a href="http://img236.imageshack.us/my.php?image=500toeit3.jpg" target="_blank">http://img236.imageshack.us/my.php?image=500toeit3.jpg</a>

02-13-2007, 06:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
shooterman Honda Rider Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 75	there is something about the honda method of alignment that i have never liked and it is in reference to the front adjustment in relation to the rear tires. it is possible to misalign them. i use another system that requires no special tools. tie a string to 2 jack stands and place them a couple feet behind the atv. run the string forward and tie them off to 2 more jack stands or other suitable objects. the point is that the string must be taut. the string will be against the rear most rear tire sidewall. adjust the front stands so that the string just touches the forward part of the rear tire sidewall. this references the rear tires. with a tape measure you can now measure the distance from the string to the front and rear sidewalls on the front tires. i'm sorry if my explanation is not clear but once you try this system you can see how simple it is and actually allows 2 people to check alignment w/o any jackstands, simply holding the string.

02-14-2007, 12:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
C-SC Honda Rider Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Finland Posts: 10	Hi Why mark the tires when you could measure from the inner side of the rims, front and back without moving the ATV..... I think.....

02-14-2007, 02:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
diesel4wd Honda Rider Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: TN Posts: 42	yea could i just measure from the inside of the rims? seems more accurate. I attempted this yesterday but i couldnt get the inside lock nuts loose on the tie rod. are they threaded opposite? __________________ 06 4x4 500 Foreman, 26" Swampwitches, Uni Filter, Venom 3000 winch, HMF Utility

02-14-2007, 02:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
joecamel Honda Lover Join Date: May 2006 Location: london, ky Posts: 471	they are regular threaded. they just real difficult to break loose. i tried heat and everything i could think of. just brute strength. i know a month or so ago someone was talking about a special ratchet or something made that works well. maybe someone will pipe in and say something. __________________ PACK IT IN PACK IT OUT 05 foreman 500s 27" bi/tri's on black type 7's warn 3.0 HMF utility dynojet K&N ap skidplates extreme audio pipe

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