Shock Linkage Lubrication
The rear shock linkage is out of sight and often out of mind when lubricating your ATV. Without being periodically disassembled and lubricated the needle bearings will eventually dry out and come apart. Neglecting these bearings will result in needlessly spending extra dollars and performing the tedious task of replacing the bearings. Grease is cheap and bearings aren't, get the picture?
Extend Your Allen Wrench
It's inevitable; there will be Allen head bolts tucked away in difficult-to-reach areas that require use of the long end, which is typically employed as the handle of your wrench. This leaves very little to grip, but there is a solution. The box end of a wrench can be interlocked with the Allen wrench for added leverage. Be careful, the Allen wrench is weaker when used in this manner and is prone to twisting or breaking.
Place Bolts In Their Correct Location When Performing Maintenance
When performing general maintenance or completely rebuilding your ATV it's important to keep your hardware organized. Placing your fasteners in the correct locations as components are removed will take the guesswork out of reassembly. This will also help to ensure that the fasteners on items such as A-arms are installed in the correct direction.
Hot Tip
A heat gun has 101 uses around the shop, and once you have one at your disposal you will discover this for yourself. Installation of graphics, applying heat shrink tube, heating cases or axle carriers for easy bearing installs, and heating solder-filled wire connectors for a watertight seal are just a few that immediately come to mind. The heat gun is great for supplying heat without the danger of an open flame around delicate components.
Digital Era
Unless your last name is Flintstone I'm sure you own a digital camera by now. Put this tool to work the next time you tear down your machine. Its easy to forget the seemingly minor details like cable and hose routing, but a few detailed photos will certainly be great to reference during reassembly.
If you have any tips that you'd like to share, we would love to hear from you. Heck, you might even save someone's ride. We'll be sure to give you credit for your remedy here in the pages of ATV Rider Magazine. So get them to us! Email us at atvrider@sorc.com.
ATV Rider Magazine
Attn: Pro Remedies
2570 E. Cerritos Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806