Dangerous steer darting. 06 Predator.

[NitroViper]

Ok, Hi I'm new tho this forum

I bought a 2006 Predator 500 last week. It runs great, looks great, but doesn't steer great!

I get to medium/high speed and it'll start to dart left and right. Like the front just decides to go left out right by itself.
Riding down back seasonal roads with ruts it'll dart side to side.

Feels very dangerous and unsafe.

I adjusted the toe out a few times at different amounts. None seem to help.

Its really noticeable on dirt roads at higher speeds.

Any suggestions? Would be a nice atv if it steered correctly

I searched google and this site many times. It doesnt seem there is much info on this.

[john luttrell]

This is from the factory service manual; also remember, this measurement is no good if the lower ball joints and or the tie rod ends have slop in them.

[mk2turbo]

Make sure all your tires have the correct air pressures in them and check that your shocks are leveled(that they have the same amount of threads showing). Also, check for play in your balljoints. I know that on a car, camber is what effects wandering and pulling of the front end, not toe. Toe has effects on tire wear, might be different due to the same diameter of the atv wheels but I don't think so.

[LEOGM5150]

how much tread are on your tires. tires with little bite and less side bite will do just what you are describing. also the preload and ride height is critical on the front shocks and also the rear. to high in the front will make it narrow and twitchy. as was said already, first and foremost is the balljoints tie rod ends and pro steering knuckles. along with front wheel bearings. all of these can affect the steering negatively. next correct air pressure. i am a 275 pound guy so i run more air than most but never more than 6 or 7 pounds in the front. 5 in the rear. if you are lighter maybe 5 in the front and 3 in the rear. also you want the ride height while you are sitting on it to be pretty even. if the front is a lot higher it will be like that. next after getting all that checked and straightened out then a steering stabilizer will help out a ton. the front of the predator is very responsive and turns very tight. so even under the very best of conditions it will feel a little twitchy at speeds.

[Tony_B]

Too much toe OUT will make it darty like you described. You want only like 1/8". There are many methods you can use, But I use 4 jackstands with strings run on either side. I then measure out from the edges of the rims until I get it perfect. Also, make sure you have someone around your size sitting on the machine while you do it. The suspension compressing changes the geometry.

[NitroViper]

Thanks guys, ill try these ideas as soon as possible. Later today maybe.

Ill post results because I seemed to have a hard time finding info on this, and I'm pretty good searching google and other sources.

With the string method or setting any sort of toe I have to have someone my size sitting on the machine?

[antoniodef]

With the string method or setting any sort of toe I have to have someone my size sitting on the machine?

Yes. You want about the same load on the suspension as if you are riding it.

[Tony_B]

And use a tape measure to measure from the edges of the RIM. If you do it from the tires like the diagram, it will not come out even. It takes a little extra time to get it square, but the results are much more accurate.