Hard Steering - Tie Rod Dragging

[mdkuni]

I am working on an 05 Rage and have it up on a lift. When turning the bars to the right the left tie rod drags on the frame/plate that is holding the rubber boot to the sled. If I grab the ski and pull up to compress the shock about .25" it will turn freely. I can't for the life of me figure out what is causing the problem.

So far, I identified that the spindle is not bent. I have a spare spindle I installed to make sure. I pulled the lower a-arm and as far as I can tell that is not bent. I checked the arm that attaches to the ski column and the tie rod and swapped with the right arm and there was no change. Tie rod is not bent. It appears that the left side of the suspension hangs .5" lower than the right. I am stumped. The only thing left that I can think of, is if the lower arm is somehow bent down and I am not able to detect that by placing it on a flat surface.

Anyone else experience this issue?

 

[Redbeard]

Check the bolts and bushings for the steering relay arms. Make sure there's not a broken bolt or bushing worn out. Also check the tie rod end that connects to the relay arm.

 

[mdkuni]

Check the bolts and bushings for the steering relay arms. Make sure there's not a broken bolt or bushing worn out. Also check the tie rod end that connects to the relay arm.

Bushings have all been inspected. No broken or bent bolts. I can tell that it is an issue before it gets to the tie rod. If I look at that steering arm, it attaches to the tie rod at a lower point than the right side does. This is causing the tie rod to run at a steeper angle.

 

[Redbeard]

I goofed uploading the pic in last post. It's up now.

You did check here, correct?

 

[mdkuni]

Yep, checked there.

 

[Redbeard]

Make sure your lower A arm bolt isn't broken out of the bulkhead and letting the arm fall out of place.

 

[Redbeard]

Never mind, I see you pulled the arm already.

 

[Handy]

Just a thought here? Check the shocks to see if one hasn't been changed to an RX1 shock, RX1 is 1" longer and would let yor "A" Arm drop farther than it should. May not be the problem but it doesn't hurt to check.

 

[mdkuni]

I did a quick measurement of the shocks on the sled, but you are right, it is worth looking into. I will pull the shocks and properly measure them. Good info, thanks.

 

[Redbeard]

Did you determine the problem?

 

[APEX 06]

Check the Boot for a rip my Apex did this on the same side, I only could till it when the skis where off the ground.

 

[mdkuni]

Did you determine the problem?

Not yet. Shocks are the correct length.

Can't be the boot as the attachment point of the tie rod is lower than the right side. Will try and post pictures later.